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Proverbs / Wisdom's Proclamation and Blessings
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Introduction: The Purpose of Proverbs and the Fear of the Lord Warning Against Enticement by Sinners Wisdom's Public Call and the Folly of Rejection The Value of Wisdom and Its Protection Trusting God and Walking in Wisdom A Father's Exhortation to Hold Fast to Wisdom Warning Against Adultery and a Call to Fidelity Warnings: Surety, Laziness, and Wickedness Obey Parental Commands and the Dangers of Adultery The Example of a Young Man Seduced Wisdom's Proclamation and Blessings Contrasting Invitations of Wisdom and Folly Solomon's Proverbs: Contrasts of Righteousness and Folly Proverbs on Justice, Integrity, and Righteous Living Wise Conduct, Diligence, and Righteous Speech Discipline, Wealth, and the Wise Child Sayings on Wisdom, Folly, and the Fear of the Lord The Power of Speech and the Benefits of Wisdom God's Sovereignty Over Human Plans Relations and Righteousness: Peace, Speech, and Integrity The Power of Words and the Nature of Companionship Advice on Wealth, Conduct, and Discipline Counsel, Justice, and Warnings Against Excess Divine Sovereignty, Justice, and the King's Role Reputation, Generosity, and Child Discipline Sayings of the Wise: Practical Moral Instruction Solomon's Proverbs on Restraint and Leadership Folly and Foolish Behavior in Speech and Deeds Friendship, Counsel, and Practical Wisdom for Life Justice, Righteousness, and the Results of Rebellion Discipline, Leadership, and Social Order The Sayings of Agur: Humility and Observations Advice to King Lemuel and the Virtuous Woman

Wisdom's Proclamation and Blessings

Proverbs 8:1-36

8
Chapter 8
1 Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding give its voice? 2 At the head of the heights, upon the way, at the house of the paths, she stands. 3 At the hand of the gates, at the mouth of the city, at the entrance of the openings, she cried out. 4 To you, men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of Adam. 5 Understand, simple ones, prudence, and, fools, understand heart. 6 Hear! For I will speak noble things, and from the opening of my lips: right things. 7 For truth my palate will mutter, and wickedness is an abomination of lips. 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is no twistedness or crookedness in them. 9 They are all straightforward to the understanding one and upright to the finders of knowledge. 10 Take my discipline rather than silver, and knowledge rather than refined gold. 11 For wisdom is better than pearls, and all delights will not equal it. 12 I—Wisdom—dwell with cunning, and I find skilled knowledge of moral outrages. 13 The fear of the LORD is the hating of evil: pride and arrogance and the way of evil and the mouth of twisted things I have hated. 14 To me belong counsel and sound wisdom; I have understanding; to me belong might. 15 By me kings reign, and nobles decree righteousness. 16 By me princes rule, and nobles—all judges of righteousness. 17 I love my lovers, and those seeking me early will find me. 18 Riches and glory are with me, abundant wealth and righteousness. 19 My fruit is better than refined gold and than pure gold, and my harvest more than chosen silver. 20 In the way of righteousness I walk, in the midst of paths of justice. 21 to endow those who love me there, and I will fill their treasures that I have stored up. 22 The LORD acquired me as the firstfruits of his way, before his works from then. 23 From eternity I was poured out from the head of the ancient earth. 24 Before there were deeps I was brought forth, before there were springs heavy with water. 25 Before the mountains were sunk down, before the hills I was brought forth: 26 until he had not made the earth and the fields and the first of the dusts of the world 27 When he prepared the heavens, there I was; there was a circle over the face of the Abyss in his decree. 28 In its middle, the heavens above; in strength, the springs of the deep. 29 when he set its statute for the Sea and the waters will not transgress his mouth's statute—foundations of the Earth. 30 And I was beside him as a confidant, and I was delights day by day, sporting before him at every time. 31 playing in the world of his land and my delights, sons of man 32 And now, sons, hear me, and blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Hear discipline and be wise, and do not rebel. 34 Blessed is the man who hears me, to watch at my doors day by day, to keep watch at the doorposts of my gates. 35 For the one who finds me finds life, and he will obtain favor from the LORD. 36 And one sinning against him does violence to his soul—all my haters are lovers of death.