Mashaym (Proverbs) — 8

The Excellence of Wisdom

1 Does wisdom not cry out, and understanding lift up her voice?

2 She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet.

3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors:

4 “To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.

5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

6 Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

7 For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.

9 They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;

11 For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion.

13 The fear of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is to hate evil; for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH detests Pride and arrogance and all evil ways and the perverse mouth.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.

15 By Me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.

16 By Me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the Arath.

17 I love those who love Me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.

18 Riches and honor are with Me, Enduring riches and righteousness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver.

20 I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,

21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.

22 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.

23 I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an Arath.

24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth;

26 While as yet 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had not made the Arath or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world.

27 When 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH prepared the Shamaym, I was there, When 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28 When 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH established the clouds above, When 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  strengthened the fountains of the deep,

29 When 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH marked out the foundations of the Arath,

30 Then I was beside 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH,

31 Rejoicing in 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH's inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men.

32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For Baraked are those who keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.

34 Baraked is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH;

36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”