will eat the fruit of their ways,
and gorge themselves
on their scheming.
For the base are killed by their waywardness,
and fools are destroyed by their complacency;
but whoever listens to me
will live in security,
experience tranquility,
and fear no malady.”
Proverbs 3:13–19 TNK
Blessed the person
who discovers Wisdom,
the person who gains Understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver,
and yields a better revenue than gold.
She is more precious than rosy pearls,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life lies in her right hand;
in her left—riches and honor.
Her ways are totally pleasant,
and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those
who embrace her;
those who cling to her will be blessed.
By Wisdom Yahweh fixed
the earth’s foundations,
by Understanding, set the heavens
in place.
Proverbs 4:4–9 TNK
Let your heart lay hold of my words;
keep my commands and you will live.
Obtain Wisdom; obtain Understanding.
Do not disregard her or deviate from my words.
Do not desert her
and she will protect you.
Love her and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is:
obtain Wisdom;
at the cost of all you have,
obtain Understanding.
Esteem her, and she will exalt you.
She will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place a garland of grace upon your head,
a crown of splendor she will bestow upon you.
Proverbs 8:1–11 TNK
Does not Wisdom call out?
Does not Understanding
raise her voice?
On the city walls above the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates leading into the city,
in the entryways she cries aloud:
“To you, O people, I call,
my voice beckons to the children
of the earth.
You simpletons, gain cunning;
fools, gain common sense.
Listen, for I have something
important to say,
when I open my lips,
what is right pours forth.
My mouth declares the truth,
for wickedness is abhorrent to my lips.
All the words from my mouth are just,
not one of them is crooked or perverse.
To the discerning, they are all straight,
to those attaining knowledge,
they are right.
Acquire my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge of me rather than finest gold.
For Wisdom is more precious
than rosy pearls,
and nothing you most desire can compare with her.”
Proverbs 8:12–21 TNK
I, Wisdom, dwell with discretion,
and I obtain judicious knowledge.
To revere Yahweh is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
wicked behavior and perverse speech.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
understanding and power belong to me.
By me royalty reigns
and rulers regulate justly;
by me princes govern
as do all nobles.
I love those who love me;
and those who seek me find me.
With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
My fruit is better than gold,
even the finest,
and my yield surpasses
the choicest silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
to bestow wealth on those who love me,
to make their treasuries replete.
Proverbs 8:22–31 TNK
Wisdom declares:
The
