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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 8 NIV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/proverbs/8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/proverbs/8-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NIV</a> > Proverbs 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../proverbs/7.htm" title="Proverbs 7">◄</a> Proverbs 8 <a href="../proverbs/9.htm" title="Proverbs 9">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New International Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/niv/esv/proverbs/8.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="sectionhead">Wisdom’s Call</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Does not wisdom call out?</p><p class="line2">Does not understanding raise her voice?</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>At the highest point along the way,</p><p class="line2">where the paths meet, she takes her stand;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>beside the gate leading into the city,</p><p class="line2">at the entrance, she cries aloud:</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>“To you, O people, I call out;</p><p class="line2">I raise my voice to all mankind.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>You who are simple, gain prudence;</p><p class="line2">you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds">a</a></sup></span> </p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;</p><p class="line2">I open my lips to speak what is right.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>My mouth speaks what is true,</p><p class="line2">for my lips detest wickedness.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>All the words of my mouth are just;</p><p class="line2">none of them is crooked or perverse.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>To the discerning all of them are right;</p><p class="line2">they are upright to those who have found knowledge.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Choose my instruction instead of silver,</p><p class="line2">knowledge rather than choice gold,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>for wisdom is more precious than rubies,</p><p class="line2">and nothing you desire can compare with her.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;</p><p class="line2">I possess knowledge and discretion.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>To fear the <span class="name">Lord</span> is to hate evil;</p><p class="line2">I hate pride and arrogance,</p><p class="line2">evil behavior and perverse speech.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Counsel and sound judgment are mine;</p><p class="line2">I have insight, I have power.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>By me kings reign</p><p class="line2">and rulers issue decrees that are just;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>by me princes govern,</p><p class="line2">and nobles—all who rule on earth. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers">b</a></sup></span> </p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>I love those who love me,</p><p class="line2">and those who seek me find me.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>With me are riches and honor,</p><p class="line2">enduring wealth and prosperity.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>My fruit is better than fine gold;</p><p class="line2">what I yield surpasses choice silver.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>I walk in the way of righteousness,</p><p class="line2">along the paths of justice,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me</p><p class="line2">and making their treasuries full.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>“The <span class="name">Lord</span> brought me forth as the first of his works, <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or way; or dominion">c</a></sup></span> <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The LORD brought me forth at the beginning of his work">d</a></sup></span> </p><p class="line2">before his deeds of old;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>I was formed long ages ago,</p><p class="line2">at the very beginning, when the world came to be.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,</p><p class="line2">when there were no springs overflowing with water;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>before the mountains were settled in place,</p><p class="line2">before the hills, I was given birth,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>before he made the world or its fields</p><p class="line2">or any of the dust of the earth.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>I was there when he set the heavens in place,</p><p class="line2">when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>when he established the clouds above</p><p class="line2">and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>when he gave the sea its boundary</p><p class="line2">so the waters would not overstep his command,</p><p class="line1">and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.</p> <p class="line2"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Then I was constantly <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or was the artisan; or was a little child">e</a></sup></span> at his side.</p><p class="line1">I was filled with delight day after day,</p><p class="line2">rejoicing always in his presence,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>rejoicing in his whole world</p><p class="line2">and delighting in mankind.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>“Now then, my children, listen to me;</p><p class="line2">blessed are those who keep my ways.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>Listen to my instruction and be wise;</p><p class="line2">do not disregard it.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>Blessed are those who listen to me,</p><p class="line2">watching daily at my doors,</p><p class="line2">waiting at my doorway.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>For those who find me find life</p><p class="line2">and receive favor from the <span class="name">Lord</span>.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/8-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>But those who fail to find me harm themselves;</p><p class="line2">all who hate me love death.”</p></div><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="footnotes"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">a</span> <span class="fnverse">5</span> <span class="footnotebot">Septuagint; Hebrew <i>foolish, instruct your minds</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">b</span> <span class="fnverse">16</span> <span class="footnotebot">Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts <i>all righteous rulers</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">c</span> <span class="fnverse">22</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>way</i>; or <i>dominion</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">d</span> <span class="fnverse">22</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>The <span class="name">Lord</span> possessed me at the beginning of his work</i>; or <i>The <span class="name">Lord</span> brought me forth at the beginning of his work</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">e</span> <span class="fnverse">30</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>was the artisan</i>; or <i>was a little child</i></span><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><p class="ntext"><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/version.htm">New International Version</a> (NIV)</p><p class="ntext2">Holy Bible, New International Version&reg, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="http://biblica.com">Biblica, Inc.</a>® Used by permission. 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