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Proverbs 8

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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.

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Proverbs 8:1-11 Verses 1-11

The will of God is made known by the works of creation, and by the consciences of men, but more clearly by Moses and the prophets. The chief difficulty is to get men to attend to instruction. Yet attention to the words of Christ, will guide the most ignorant into saving knowledge of the truth. Where there is an understanding heart, and willingness to receive the truth in love, wisdom is valued above silver and gold.

Proverbs 8:12-21 Verses 12-21

Wisdom, here is Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word, and Christ in the heart; not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. All prudence and skill are from the Lord. Through the redemption of Christ's precious blood, the riches of his grace abound in all wisdom and prudence. Man found out many inventions for ruin; God found one for our recovery. He hates pride and arrogance, evil ways and froward conversation; these render men unwilling to hear his humbling, awakening, holy instructions. True religion gives men the best counsel in all difficult cases, and helps to make their way plain. His wisdom makes all truly happy who receive it in the love of Christ Jesus. Seek him early, seek him earnestly, seek him before any thing else. Christ never said, Seek in vain. Those who love Christ, are such as have seen his loveliness, and have had his love shed abroad in their hearts; therefore they are happy. They shall be happy in this world, or in that which is beyond compare better. Wealth gotten by vanity will soon be diminished, but that which is well got, will wear well; and that which is well spent upon works of piety and charity, will be lasting. If they have not riches and honour in this world, they shall have that which is infinitely better. They shall be happy in the grace of God. Christ, by his Spirit, guides believers into all truth, and so leads them in the way of righteousness; and they walk after the Spirit. Also, they shall be happy in the glory of God hereafter. In Wisdom's promises, believers have goods laid up, not for days and years, but for eternity; her fruit therefore is better than gold.

Proverbs 8:22-31 Verses 22-31

The Son of God declares himself to have been engaged in the creation of the world. How able, how fit is the Son of God to be the Saviour of the world, who was the Creator of it! The Son of God was ordained, before the world, to that great work. Does he delight in saving wretched sinners, and shall not we delight in his salvation?

Proverbs 8:32-36 Verses 32-36

Surely we should hearken to Christ's voice with the readiness of children. Let us all be wise, and not refuse such mercy. Blessed are those who hear the Saviour's voice, and wait on him with daily reading, meditation, and prayer. The children of the world find time for vain amusements, without neglecting what they deem the one thing needful. Does it not show contempt of Wisdom's instructions, when people professing godliness, seek excuses for neglecting the means of grace? Christ is Wisdom, and he is Life to all believers; nor can we obtain God's favour, unless we find Christ, and are found in him. Those who offend Christ deceive themselves; sin is a wrong to the soul. Sinners die because they will die, which justifies God when he judges.

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Being Proud Proverbs 8:13

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

Children: Commandments To Proverbs 8:32, 33

Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. / Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

Children: Promises and Assurances To Proverbs 8:17, 32

I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. / Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

Church Ushers Proverbs 8:34

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

Desire: Spiritual Proverbs 8:17, 34

I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. / Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

Doors Proverbs 8:34

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

Earth: Created by God Proverbs 8:22–26

The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. / From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. / When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water.

Fear of God: Reverence Proverbs 8:13

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

Fear of the Lord Proverbs 8:13

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

Finding God Proverbs 8:17

I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

God: Creator Proverbs 8:26–29

before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth. / I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, / when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,

God: Eternity of Proverbs 8:23–25

From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. / When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water. / Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,

God: Grace of Proverbs 8:35

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.

God: Guide Proverbs 8:20

I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

God: Wisdom of Proverbs 8:12, 22, 27–31

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. / The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. / I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

Going to College Proverbs 8:11

For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

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