Proverbs 8:22-36

The Blessings of Wisdom

22 s "The Lord t possessed 1 me at the beginning of his work, 2
the first of his acts u of old.
 23 Ages ago I was v set up,
at the first, w before the beginning of the earth.
 24 When there were no x depths I was y brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
 25 Before the mountains z had been shaped,
a 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 b established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew c a circle on the face of the deep,
 28 when he d made firm the skies above,
when he established 3 the fountains of the deep,
 29 when he e assigned to the sea its f limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out g the foundations of the earth,
 30 then h I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his 4 i delight,
rejoicing before him always,
 31 j rejoicing in his k inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.

32 "And now, l O sons, listen to me:
m blessed are those who keep my ways.
 33 n Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
 34 o Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
 35 For p whoever finds me q finds life
and r obtains favor from the Lord,
 36 but he who fails to find me s injures himself;
all who t hate me u love death."

  1. Cross References
    Job 28:25 - 28
    When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure.
  2. Cross References
    Genesis 14:19
    And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth.
    Genesis 14:22
    But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth.
    Psalms 104:24
    O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
    Psalms 136:5
    To him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 93:2
    Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.
  4. Cross References
    Psalms 2:6
    "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill."
  5. Cross References
    John 17:5
    And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
  6. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:27 - 28
    When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep.
    Proverbs 3:20
    By his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
    Genesis 1:2
    The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
  7. Cross References
    Job 15:7
    Are you the first man who was born? Or were you brought forth before the hills?
    Psalms 51:5
    Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
  8. Cross References
    Job 38:6
    On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone.
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 90:2
    Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:19
    The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.
  11. Cross References
    Job 26:10
    He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 1:6
    And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.
  13. Cross References
    Genesis 1:9 - 10
    And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so.
  14. Cross References
    Job 26:10
    He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.
  15. Cross References
    Psalms 104:5
    He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.
  16. Cross References
    Zechariah 13:7
    Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me," declares the Lord of hosts. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.
    John 1:1 - 2
    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 16:3
    As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
    Matthew 3:17
    And behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
  18. Cross References
    Genesis 1:31
    And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
    Psalms 104:31
    May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.
  19. Cross References
    Isaiah 45:18
    For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the Lord, and there is no other.
  20. Cross References
    Proverbs 5:7
    And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
    Proverbs 7:24
    And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
    1 John 3:1
    See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
  21. Cross References
    Psalms 119:1 - 2
    Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
    Psalms 128:1 - 2
    Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!
    Luke 11:28
    But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!
  22. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:1
    Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight.
  23. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:13
    Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding.
  24. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:18
    She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
    Proverbs 4:22
    For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
  25. Cross References
    John 1:4
    In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
    John 17:3
    And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
  26. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:2
    A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of evil devices he condemns.
    Proverbs 18:22
    He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
  27. Cross References
    Proverbs 15:32
    Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
    Proverbs 20:2
    The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger forfeits his life.
    Proverbs 29:24
    The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
  28. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:1
    Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
  29. Cross References
    Proverbs 21:6
    The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.