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智慧警教世人

智慧豈不呼叫,聰明豈不發聲? 她在道旁高處的頂上,在十字路口站立, 在城門旁,在城門口,在城門洞大聲說: 「眾人哪,我呼叫你們,我向世人發聲, 說:愚蒙人哪,你們要會悟靈明!愚昧人哪,你們當心裡明白! 你們當聽,因我要說極美的話,我張嘴要論正直的事。 我的口要發出真理,我的嘴憎惡邪惡。 我口中的言語都是公義,並無彎曲乖僻。 有聰明的以為明顯,得知識的以為正直。 10 你們當受我的教訓,不受白銀,寧得知識,勝過黃金。 11 因為智慧比珍珠[a]更美,一切可喜愛的都不足與比較。

12 「我智慧以靈明為居所,又尋得知識和謀略。 13 敬畏耶和華在乎恨惡邪惡,那驕傲、狂妄並惡道,以及乖謬的口,都為我所恨惡。 14 我有謀略和真知識,我乃聰明,我有能力。 15 帝王藉我坐國位,君王藉我定公平。 16 王子和首領,世上一切的審判官,都是藉我掌權。 17 愛我的,我也愛他;懇切尋求我的,必尋得見。 18 豐富尊榮在我,恆久的財並公義也在我。 19 我的果實勝過黃金,強如精金,我的出產超乎高銀。 20 我在公義的道上走,在公平的路中行, 21 使愛我的承受貨財,並充滿他們的府庫。

智慧之本源

22 「在耶和華造化的起頭,在太初創造萬物之先,就有了我。 23 從亙古,從太初,未有世界以前,我已被立。 24 沒有深淵,沒有大水的泉源,我已生出。 25 大山未曾奠定,小山未有之先,我已生出。 26 耶和華還沒有創造大地和田野,並世上的土質,我已生出。 27 他立高天,我在那裡,他在淵面的周圍劃出圓圈, 28 上使穹蒼堅硬,下使淵源穩固, 29 為滄海定出界限,使水不越過他的命令,立定大地的根基。 30 那時,我在他那裡為工師,日日為他所喜愛,常常在他面前踴躍, 31 踴躍在他為人預備可住之地,也喜悅住在世人之間。

智慧致福

32 「眾子啊,現在要聽從我,因為謹守我道的便為有福。 33 要聽教訓,就得智慧,不可棄絕。 34 聽從我,日日在我門口仰望,在我門框旁邊等候的,那人便為有福! 35 因為尋得我的就尋得生命,也必蒙耶和華的恩惠。 36 得罪我的卻害了自己的性命,恨惡我的都喜愛死亡。」

Footnotes

  1. 箴言 8:11 或作:紅寶石。

Wisdom’s Call

Does not wisdom call out?(A)
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
At the highest point along the way,
    where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
beside the gate leading into the city,
    at the entrance, she cries aloud:(B)
“To you, O people, I call out;(C)
    I raise my voice to all mankind.
You who are simple,(D) gain prudence;(E)
    you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
    I open my lips to speak what is right.
My mouth speaks what is true,(F)
    for my lips detest wickedness.
All the words of my mouth are just;
    none of them is crooked or perverse.
To the discerning all of them are right;
    they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
    knowledge rather than choice gold,(G)
11 for wisdom is more precious(H) than rubies,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.(I)

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.(J)
13 To fear the Lord(K) is to hate evil;(L)
    I hate(M) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.(N)
15 By me kings reign
    and rulers(O) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(P)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]
17 I love those who love me,(Q)
    and those who seek me find me.(R)
18 With me are riches and honor,(S)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.(T)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;(U)
    what I yield surpasses choice silver.(V)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,(W)
    along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
    and making their treasuries full.(X)

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
    before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
    at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
    when there were no springs overflowing with water;(Y)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,(Z)
    before the hills, I was given birth,(AA)
26 before he made the world or its fields
    or any of the dust of the earth.(AB)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,(AC)
    when he marked out the horizon(AD) on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above(AE)
    and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,(AF)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary(AG)
    so the waters would not overstep his command,(AH)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.(AI)
30     Then I was constantly[e] at his side.(AJ)
I was filled with delight day after day,
    rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
    and delighting in mankind.(AK)

32 “Now then, my children, listen(AL) to me;
    blessed are(AM) those who keep my ways.(AN)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(AO) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(AP) find life(AQ)
    and receive favor from the Lord.(AR)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(AS)
    all who hate me love death.”(AT)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
  2. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
  3. Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
  4. Proverbs 8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work
  5. Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 For 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.

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

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

15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

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

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

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

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

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

21 That 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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:

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

31 Rejoicing 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.

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

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

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

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

The Excellence of Wisdom

Does not (A)wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?
She takes her stand on the top of the [a]high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.
She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:
“To you, O men, I call,
And my voice is to the sons of men.
O you [b]simple ones, understand prudence,
And you fools, be of an understanding heart.
Listen, for I will speak of (B)excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;
Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.
They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold;
11 (C)For wisdom is better than rubies,
And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
13 (D)The fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
(E)Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And (F)the perverse mouth I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, (G)I have strength.
15 (H)By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles,
All the judges of [c]the earth.
17 (I)I love those who love me,
And (J)those who seek me diligently will find me.
18 (K)Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.
20 I [d]traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.

22 “The(L) Lord possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
23 (M)I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 (N)Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the [e]fields,
Or the [f]primal dust of the world.
27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29 (O)When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When (P)He marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 (Q)Then I was beside Him as [g]a master craftsman;
(R)And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And (S)my delight was with the sons of men.

32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children,
For (T)blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
And do not disdain it.
34 (U)Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life,
And (V)obtains favor from the Lord;
36 But he who sins against me (W)wrongs his own soul;
All those who hate me love death.”

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:2 Lit. heights
  2. Proverbs 8:5 naive
  3. Proverbs 8:16 MT, Syr., Tg., Vg. righteousness; LXX, Bg., some mss. and editions earth
  4. Proverbs 8:20 walk about on
  5. Proverbs 8:26 outer places
  6. Proverbs 8:26 Lit. beginning of the dust
  7. Proverbs 8:30 A Jewish tradition one brought up

The Blessings of Wisdom

Does not (A)wisdom call?
    Does not (B)understanding raise her voice?
On (C)the heights beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside (D)the gates in front of (E)the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
“To you, O (F)men, I call,
    and my cry is to (G)the children of man.
O (H)simple ones, learn (I)prudence;
    O (J)fools, learn sense.
Hear, for I will speak (K)noble things,
    and from my lips will come (L)what is right,
for my (M)mouth will utter truth;
    wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    there is nothing (N)twisted or crooked in them.
They are all (O)straight to him who understands,
    and right to those who find knowledge.
10 (P)Take my instruction instead of silver,
    and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 (Q)for wisdom is better than jewels,
    and (R)all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
    and I find knowledge and (S)discretion.
13 (T)The fear of the Lord is (U)hatred of evil.
(V)Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and (W)perverted speech I hate.
14 I have (X)counsel and (Y)sound wisdom;
    I have insight; (Z)I have strength.
15 By me (AA)kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule,
    and nobles, all who govern justly.[a]
17 (AB)I love those who love me,
    and (AC)those who seek me diligently find me.
18 (AD)Riches and honor are with me,
    (AE)enduring wealth and (AF)righteousness.
19 My fruit is (AG)better than (AH)gold, even fine gold,
    and my yield than (AI)choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
    in the paths of justice,
21 granting an inheritance to those who love me,
    and filling their treasuries.

22 (AJ)“The Lord (AK)possessed[b] me at the beginning of his work,[c]
    the first of his acts (AL)of old.
23 Ages ago I was (AM)set up,
    at the first, (AN)before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no (AO)depths I was (AP)brought forth,
    when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains (AQ)had been shaped,
    (AR)before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
    or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he (AS)established the heavens, I was there;
    when he drew (AT)a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he (AU)made firm the skies above,
    when he established[d] the fountains of the deep,
29 when he (AV)assigned to the sea its (AW)limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out (AX)the foundations of the earth,
30     then (AY)I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his[e] (AZ)delight,
    rejoicing before him always,
31 (BA)rejoicing in his (BB)inhabited world
    and delighting in the children of man.

32 “And now, (BC)O sons, listen to me:
    (BD)blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 (BE)Hear instruction and be wise,
    and do not neglect it.
34 (BF)Blessed is the one who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting beside my doors.
35 For (BG)whoever finds me (BH)finds life
    and (BI)obtains favor from the Lord,
36 but he who fails to find me (BJ)injures himself;
    all who (BK)hate me (BL)love death.”

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint govern the earth
  2. Proverbs 8:22 Or fathered; Septuagint created
  3. Proverbs 8:22 Hebrew way
  4. Proverbs 8:28 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  5. Proverbs 8:30 Or daily filled with