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12 “I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence,
    and I possess knowledge and discretion.[a]
13 The fear of the Lord implies hatred of evil;[b]
    I hate pride and arrogance,
    evil ways and perverse speech.
14 From me issue forth counsel and prudence;
    insight and strength[c] are mine.
15 Through me kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just.
16 By me princes and nobles rule,
    all those who govern rightly.
17 “I love those who love me,
    and those who diligently seek me will find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
    enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than the finest gold,
    and what I yield surpasses pure silver.
20 I walk on the way of righteousness,
    along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing wealth on those who love me
    and heaping up their treasuries.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:12 Prudence . . . knowledge and discretion: see notes on Prov 1:4; 2:2-3.
  2. Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord implies hatred of evil: see Prov 1:7 and note; 3:7; 9:10; 16:6. I hate pride and arrogance: see Prov 16:18; 1 Sam 2:3; Ps 10:2-11; Isa 13:11. Evil ways and perverse speech: see Prov 2:12 and note; 6:12, 16-19.
  3. Proverbs 8:14 Counsel and prudence; insight and strength: these are all qualities of the Lord (see Prov 2:6-7; Job 12:13, 16; Isa 40:13-14; Rom 16:27) and the Spirit of the Lord (see Isa 11:2).