Proverbs 8:21

The woman called Wisdom is generous. She gives true wealth. We can love many things. Some people love wine. But too much wine will kill them. Some people love money. But they can lose everything in a single day. If we love wisdom, then God will look after us. He cares about us. Jesus said, ‘Love God, with all your heart, spirit and mind! This is the first and greatest law.’ (Matthew 22:37-38)

v22 God used his wisdom when he started his work.

This was before ancient times.

v23 My name is Wisdom! I existed from the beginning.

I existed even before God created the world.

v24 I was born before he made the seas.

I was there before the waters flowed.

v25 My birth was before God made the mountains.

I was born before he made the hills.

v26 I was there, before the earth, or the soil, or the fields.

v27 I was there:

• when God made the heavens

• when he drew the horizons upon the seas

• v28 when he put the clouds in the sky

• when he made the deep waters

• v29 when he chose the limits of the sea (He made a law that the waters would not flood the earth.)

• when he set the earth firmly in place.

v30 When he did all this, I was his worker. I worked at his side.

Day after day, I was glad to be with him.

v31 I was glad when I saw his world.

People were my delight.’

The woman called Wisdom continues her speech. She explains how God made the world.