Proverbs 8
Lutheran reading notes
In Proverbs chapter 8, the wisdom literature continues to explore wisdom for righteous living and reverence for God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
Proverbs 8:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
Proverbs 8:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Proverbs 8:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice {is} to the sons of man.
Proverbs 8:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Proverbs 8:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips {shall be} right things.
Proverbs 8:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness {is} an abomination to my lips. {an...: Heb. the abomination of my lips}
Proverbs 8:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
All the words of my mouth {are} in righteousness; {there is} nothing froward or perverse in them. {froward: Heb. wreathed}
Proverbs 8:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
They {are} all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Proverbs 8:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Proverbs 8:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
For wisdom {is} better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Proverbs 8:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. {prudence: or, subtilty}
Proverbs 8:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
The fear of the LORD {is} to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Proverbs 8:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
Counsel {is} mine, and sound wisdom: I {am} understanding; I have strength.
Proverbs 8:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Proverbs 8:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
By me princes rule, and nobles, {even} all the judges of the earth.
Proverbs 8:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Proverbs 8:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Proverbs 8:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: {lead: or, walk}
Proverbs 8:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Proverbs 8:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Proverbs 8:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Proverbs 8:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
When {there were} no depths, I was brought forth; when {there were} no fountains abounding with water.
Proverbs 8:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
Proverbs 8:25 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. {fields: or, open places} {the highest...: or, the chief part}
27
When he prepared the heavens, I {was} there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: {a compass: or, a circle}
Proverbs 8:27 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Proverbs 8:28 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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:
Proverbs 8:29 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
Then I was by him, {as} one brought up {with him}: and I was daily {his} delight, rejoicing always before him;
Proverbs 8:30 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
31
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights {were} with the sons of men.
Proverbs 8:31 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
32
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed {are they that} keep my ways.
Proverbs 8:32 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
33
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Proverbs 8:33 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
34
Blessed {is} the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Proverbs 8:34 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
35
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. {obtain: Heb. bring forth}
Proverbs 8:35 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Proverbs 8:36 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.