1 Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice? 2 On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands. 3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud: 4 "To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind. 5 You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart. 6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things. 7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. 9 They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge. 10 Receive my instruction rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold. 11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it. 12 "I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. 14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power. 15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16 By me princes rule; nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth. 17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. 18 With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity. 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; my yield than choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice; 21 That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries. 22 "Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was brought forth; 26 while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 27 When he established the heavens, I was there; when he set a circle on the surface of the deep, 28 when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong, 29 when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth; 30 then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him, 31 Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men. 32 "Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise. Don't refuse it. 34 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. 35 For whoever finds me, finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death."
The fame and excellence of wisdom, and its manner of teaching, Proverbs 8:1-4; the matter of its exhortations, Proverbs 8:5-12; its influence among men, Proverbs 8:13-21; its antiquity, Proverbs 8:22-31; the blessedness of attending to its counsels, Proverbs 8:32-35; the misery of those who do not, Proverbs 8:36.
INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 8
This chapter contains the instructions of Wisdom or Christ; showing the excellency of them, and the author of them, in opposition to the harlot and her allurements, in the preceding chapter. Christ, under the name of Wisdom, is represented as an herald, publishing the Gospel in the ministry of the word, either in person or by his servants, Proverbs 8:1. The places where this proclamation is made are described, Proverbs 8:2; the persons to whom, Proverbs 8:4. The excellency of the things delivered, being right things; truth, agreeably to the word of God, plain and easy to be understood, and of more worth than gold, silver, and precious stones, Proverbs 8:6. And then Wisdom, or Christ, is commended and recommended by his consummate prudence and knowledge, by his hatred of evil, and by his influence on the political affairs of kings and princes, Proverbs 8:12; and the advantages of those that are early seekers of him are pointed out; their enjoyment of his favour, of his riches, honour and righteousness; and their being led by him in right paths now, and inheriting eternal glory hereafter, Proverbs 8:17. And next follows an account of his existence from eternity as a divine Person, illustrated by a variety of phrases, Proverbs 8:22; and of his being with the Father; of his great affection for him, and complacency in him; and of Christ's wonderful delight and pleasure in the sons of men, Proverbs 8:30. And the chapter is concluded with an exhortation to them to hearken to his instructions; setting forth the happiness of those that wait on him in public ordinances, and find him; and the misery of those that hate and reject him.
(Proverbs 8:1-11) Christ, as Wisdom, calls to the sons of men.
(Proverbs 8:12-21) The nature and riches of Wisdom.
(Proverbs 8:22-31) Christ one with the Father, in the creation of the world, and rejoicing in his work for the salvation of man.
(Proverbs 8:32-36) Exhortations to hear Christ's word.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.