Ketuvim: כתובים /Hagiographa / Writings

Mishlei / משלי / 箴 言/ Proverbs  Chapter 8

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In praise of wisdom

8:1 Does not chokmah (wisdom) cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

8:2 She stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

8:3 She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

8:4 to you, O men, I call; and my voice [is] to the sons of man.

8:5 O you simple, understand chokmah (wisdom): and, you fools, be you of an understanding heart.

8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things.

8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness [is] an abomination to my lips.

8:8 All the words of my mouth [are] in righteousness; [there is] nothing froward or perverse in them.

8:9 They [are] all plain to him that understands, and right to them that find knowledge.

8:10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

8:11 For chokmah (wisdom) [is] better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

8:12 I chokmah (wisdom) dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

8:13 The fear of  YHVH (יהוה) [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

8:14 Counsel [is] mine, and sound chokmah (wisdom): I [am] understanding; I have strength.

8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, [even] all the judges of the earth.

8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

8:18 Riches and honour [are] with me; [yea], durable riches and righteousness.

8:19 My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

8:22  YHVH (יהוה) possessed me in the beginning of His way, before his works of old.

8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

8:24 When [there were] no depths, I was brought forth; when [there were] no fountains abounding with water.

8:25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

8:26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

8:27 When he prepared the heavens, I [was] there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

8:28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

8:29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

8:30 Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him;

8:31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men.

8:32 Now therefore listen to me, O you children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways.

8:33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

8:34 Blessed [is] the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

8:35 For whoso finds me finds life, and shall obtain favour of  YHVH (יהוה).

8:36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death."


1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

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Origin of Wisdom

In Elohim 22

From everlasting - 23

Before all thing - 23-30

Teaching of wisdom

Armah Prudence - vs 5,12

Biyn Understanding - vs 5

Negidim - excellent things - vs 6

Hatred of wickedness - vs 7

Tzedekah - vs 8

Da'at Knowledge  - vs 12

Mezimot Discretion - vs 12

Yirat YHVH - fear of YHVH vs 13

Value of Wisdom

Yields riches and honour - vs 18

Great than gold and silver - vs 19

the wise are blessed vs 32, 34

the wise find life vs 35

the foolish love death - vs 36