Proverbs 8

King James Version

Full text for Proverbs Chapter 8

1¶ Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

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

5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12¶ I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

13The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

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

15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

22¶ The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

32¶ Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed [are they that] keep my ways.

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

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

35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Proverbs 8 personifies Wisdom, who cries out publicly, inviting all to hear her excellent and righteous instruction. She proclaims her supreme value, surpassing all earthly treasures, and asserts her role in the just governance of rulers. Wisdom reveals her pre-existence with the LORD before creation, delighting in His works and in humanity, concluding with an exhortation to seek her for life and favour.

Medium Summary

In Proverbs chapter 8, Wisdom is personified as a herald, calling out from high places and city gates to all humanity, especially the simple and foolish, to embrace her teachings. She declares her words to be truthful, righteous, and plain, emphasizing her inherent superiority to silver, gold, and rubies. Wisdom explains that she dwells with prudence, hates evil, and is the source of counsel and strength, enabling kings and rulers to govern justly. Furthermore, she reveals her eternal nature, having been with the LORD from the beginning of creation, delighting in His works and in mankind. The chapter concludes with a fervent plea to listen to her instruction, promising life and the LORD's favour to those who find her, while warning that rejecting her leads to self-harm and a love for death.

Long Summary

Proverbs chapter 8 presents a profound discourse from personified Wisdom, who publicly calls out from prominent places—the city gates, high paths, and entryways—to all people, particularly the naive and those lacking understanding. She urges them to heed her voice, promising to speak of excellent and righteous things, asserting that her words are truth, devoid of perversity, and clear to those who seek knowledge. Wisdom declares her immense value, stating she is better than rubies, gold, or any other desirable possession. She reveals her attributes, dwelling with prudence and hating pride, arrogance, and evil ways, while providing counsel, understanding, and strength. Through her, kings reign and princes decree justice, demonstrating her essential role in righteous governance. Wisdom promises that those who love and diligently seek her will find durable riches, honour, and righteousness, inheriting substance and having their treasures filled. A central revelation is Wisdom's pre-existence: she was "possessed" by the LORD in the beginning, before creation, present when the heavens were prepared, the depths established, and the earth's foundations laid. She describes herself as "one brought up with him," daily delighting in His presence and rejoicing in the habitable parts of the earth, with her delights being with the sons of men. The chapter concludes with a powerful exhortation for humanity to listen to her instruction, promising that finding her leads to life and the LORD's favour. Conversely, it warns that sinning against her wrongs one's own soul, and that those who hate her effectively love death.

Core Concepts

  • Personification of WisdomWisdom is depicted as a living entity, crying out publicly and possessing attributes like speech, dwelling, and emotions, making her accessible and relatable to humanity.
  • Superiority of WisdomWisdom is explicitly declared to be more valuable than all material wealth, including silver, gold, and rubies, emphasizing its unparalleled worth and desirability.
  • Wisdom's Role in GovernanceKings, princes, and judges are shown to rule and decree justice through Wisdom, highlighting her essential function in righteous leadership and societal order.
  • Pre-existence with GodWisdom reveals her presence with the LORD from the very beginning, before creation, participating in the divine work and being His daily delight.
  • Rewards of Seeking WisdomThose who diligently seek and love Wisdom are promised life, favor from the LORD, durable riches, honor, and righteousness.
  • Consequences of Rejecting WisdomTo reject or sin against Wisdom is presented as an act of self-harm, leading to a state akin to loving death and forsaking the LORD's favour.
  • Wisdom's Moral FoundationWisdom explicitly states her hatred for evil, pride, and arrogance, affirming her alignment with righteousness, truth, and sound judgment.