1,2,3 Can’t
you hear the voice of wisdom? She is standing at the city gates and at every
fork in the road and at the door of every house. Listen to what she says:
4,5 “Listen,
men!” she calls. “How foolish and naïve you are! Let me give you understanding.
O foolish ones, let me show you common sense!
6,7 Listen to
me! For I have important information for you. Everything I say is right and
true, for I hate lies and every kind of deception.
8 My advice
is wholesome and good. There is nothing of evil in it.
9 My words
are plain and clear to anyone with half a mind – if it is only open!
10 My
instruction is far more valuable than silver or gold.”
11 For the value of
wisdom is far above rubies; nothing can be compared with it.
12 Wisdom and good
judgment live together, for wisdom knows where to discover knowledge and
understanding.
13 If anyone
respects and fears God, he will hate evil. For wisdom hates pride, arrogance,
corruption and deceit of every kind.
14,15 “I,
Wisdom, give good advice and common sense. Because of my strength, kings reign
in power. I show judges who is right and who is wrong.
16 Rulers
rule well with my help.
17 I love all
who love me. Those who search for me shall surely find me.
18 Unending
riches, honor, justice and righteousness are mine to distribute.
19 My gifts
are better than the purest gold or sterling silver!
20 My paths
are those of justice and right.
21 Those who
love and follow me are indeed wealthy. I fill their treasuries.
22 The Lord
formed me in the beginning, before he created anything else.
23 From ages
past, I am. I existed before the earth began.
24 I lived
before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters onto
the earth;
25 before the
mountains and the hills were made.
26 Yes, I was
born before God made the earth and fields and high plateaus.
27,28,29 I
was there when He established the heavens and formed the great springs in the
depths of the oceans. I was there when he set the limits of the seas and gave
them His instructions not to spread beyond their boundaries. I was there when
He made the blueprint for the earth and oceans.
30 I was
always at his side like a little child. I was his constant delight, laughing
and playing in his presence.
31 And how
happy I was with what He created – His wide world and all his family of
mankind!
32 And so,
young me, listen to me, for happy are all who follow my instructions.
33 “Listen to
my counsel – oh, don’t refuse it – and be wise.
34 Happy is
the man who is so anxious to be with me that he watches for me daily at my
gates, or waits for me outside my home!
35 For
whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from The Lord.
36 But the
one who misses me has injured himself irreparably. Those who refuse me show
that they love death.”
Text: Children's Living Bible, Tyndale House Publishing 1972
Photo Credits: Google Images
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