Seeking Wisdom Together – Proverbs 8, 1-21

Does not wisdom call?Does not understanding raise her voice?² On the heights beside the way,at the crossroads she takes her stand; ³ beside the gates in front of the town,at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:  ⁴ “To you, O men, I call,and my cry is to the children of man.  ⁵ O simple ones, learn prudence;O fools, learn sense.  ⁶ Hear, for I will speak noble things,and from my lips will come what is right,  ⁷ for my mouth will utter truth;wickedness is an abomination to my lips.  ⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous;there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.  ⁹ They are all straight to him who understands,and right to those who find knowledge.  ¹⁰ Take my instruction instead of silver,and knowledge rather than choice gold, ¹¹ for wisdom is better than jewels,and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.  ¹² “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,  and I find knowledge and discretion.  ¹³ The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.  Pride and arrogance and the way of eviland perverted speech I hate.  ¹⁴ I have counsel and sound wisdom;I have insight; I have strength.  ¹⁵ By me kings reign,and rulers decree what is just; ¹⁶ by me princes rule,and nobles, all who govern justly.  ¹⁷ I love those who love me,and those who seek me diligently find me.  ¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me,  enduring wealth and righteousness.  ¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.  ²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness,in the paths of justice,  ²¹ granting an inheritance to those who love me,  and filling their treasuries.