Chapter 8

Wisdom Calls for a Hearing

1 Listen as Wisdom calls out!

Hear as understanding raises her voice!

2 On the hilltop along the road,

she takes her stand at the crossroads.

3 By the gates at the entrance to the town,

on the road leading in, she cries aloud,

4 “I call to you, to all of you!

I raise my voice to all people.

5 You simple people, use good judgment.

You foolish people, show some understanding.

6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.

Everything I say is right,

7 for I speak the truth

and detest every kind of deception.

8 My advice is wholesome.

There is nothing devious or crooked in it.

9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding,

clear to those with knowledge.

10 Choose my instruction rather than silver,

and knowledge rather than pure gold.

11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.

Nothing you desire can compare with it.

12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.

I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.

Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,

corruption and perverse speech.

14 Common sense and success belong to me.

Insight and strength are mine.

15 Because of me, kings reign,

and rulers make just decrees.

16 Rulers lead with my help,

and nobles make righteous judgments.*

17 “I love all who love me.

Those who search will surely find me.

18 I have riches and honor,

as well as enduring wealth and justice.

19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold,

my wages better than sterling silver!

20 I walk in righteousness,

in paths of justice.

21 Those who love me inherit wealth.

I will fill their treasuries.

22 “The Lord formed me from the beginning,

before he created anything else.

23 I was appointed in ages past,

at the very first, before the earth began.

24 I was born before the oceans were created,

before the springs bubbled forth their waters.

25 Before the mountains were formed,

before the hills, I was born—

26 before he had made the earth and fields

and the first handfuls of soil.

27 I was there when he established the heavens,

when he drew the horizon on the oceans.

28 I was there when he set the clouds above,

when he established springs deep in the earth.

29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas,

so they would not spread beyond their boundaries.

And when he marked off the earth’s foundations,

30 I was the architect at his side.

I was his constant delight,

rejoicing always in his presence.

31 And how happy I was with the world he created;

how I rejoiced with the human family!

32 “And so, my children,* listen to me,

for all who follow my ways are joyful.

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise.

Don’t ignore it.

34 Joyful are those who listen to me,

watching for me daily at my gates,

waiting for me outside my home!

35 For whoever finds me finds life

and receives favor from the Lord.

36 But those who miss me injure themselves.

All who hate me love death.”

Chapter 9

1 Wisdom has built her house;

she has carved its seven columns.

2 She has prepared a great banquet,

mixed the wines, and set the table.

3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come.

She calls out from the heights overlooking the city.

4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.

To those who lack good judgment, she says,

5 “Come, eat my food,

and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live;

learn to use good judgment.”

7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.

Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.

8 So don’t bother correcting mockers;

they will only hate you.

But correct the wise,

and they will love you.

9 Instruct the wise,

and they will be even wiser.

Teach the righteous,

and they will learn even more.

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.

Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

11 Wisdom will multiply your days

and add years to your life.

12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.

If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

Folly Calls for a Hearing

13 The woman named Folly is brash.

She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.

14 She sits in her doorway

on the heights overlooking the city.

15 She calls out to men going by

who are minding their own business.

16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple.

To those who lack good judgment, she says,

17 “Stolen water is refreshing;

food eaten in secret tastes the best!”

18 But little do they know that the dead are there.

Her guests are in the depths of the grave.*

Chapter 10

The Proverbs of Solomon

The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise child* brings joy to a father;

a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

2 Tainted wealth has no lasting value,

but right living can save your life.

3 The Lord will not let the godly go hungry,

but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.

4 Lazy people are soon poor;

hard workers get rich.

5 A wise youth harvests in the summer,

but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.

6 The godly are showered with blessings;

the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

7 We have happy memories of the godly,

but the name of a wicked person rots away.

8 The wise are glad to be instructed,

but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

9 People with integrity walk safely,

but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.

10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble,

but a bold reproof promotes peace.*

11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;

the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

12 Hatred stirs up quarrels,

but love makes up for all offenses.

13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding,

but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.

14 Wise people treasure knowledge,

but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

15 The wealth of the rich is their fortress;

the poverty of the poor is their destruction.

16 The earnings of the godly enhance their lives,

but evil people squander their money on sin.

17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life,

but those who ignore correction will go astray.

18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar;

slandering others makes you a fool.

19 Too much talk leads to sin.

Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver;

the heart of a fool is worthless.

21 The words of the godly encourage many,

but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

22 The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich,

and he adds no sorrow with it.

23 Doing wrong is fun for a fool,

but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.

24 The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled;

the hopes of the godly will be granted.

25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,

but the godly have a lasting foundation.

26 Lazy people irritate their employers,

like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.

27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,

but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness,

but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.

29 The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity,

but it destroys the wicked.

30 The godly will never be disturbed,

but the wicked will be removed from the land.

31 The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice,

but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words,

but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.