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The Proverbs, Chapter 8
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1 |
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
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2 |
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of
the paths.
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3 |
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming
in at the doors.
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4 |
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
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5 |
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an
understanding heart.
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6 |
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my
lips shall be right things.
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7 |
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination
to my lips.
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8 |
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing
froward or perverse in them.
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9 |
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them
that find knowledge.
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10 |
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than
choice gold.
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11 |
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be
desired are not to be compared to it.
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12 |
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty
inventions.
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13 |
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and
the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
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14 |
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have
strength.
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15 |
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
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16 |
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
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17 |
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find
me.
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18 |
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and
righteousness.
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19 |
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue
than choice silver.
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20 |
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of
judgment:
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21 |
That I may cause those that love me to inherit
substance; and I will fill their treasures.
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22 |
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his
works of old.
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23 |
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the
earth was.
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24 |
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were
no fountains abounding with water.
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25 |
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought
forth:
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26 |
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
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27 |
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass
upon the face of the depth:
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When he established the clouds above:
when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
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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:
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30 |
Then I was by
him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing always before him;
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31 |
Rejoicing in the habitable part of
his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
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32 |
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are
they that keep my ways.
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33 |
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
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34 |
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates,
waiting at the posts of my doors.
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35 |
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the
LORD.
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36 |
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they
that hate me love death.
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