In Praise of Wisdom
1 With great understanding,
Wisdom is calling out
2 as she stands at the crossroads
and on every hill.
3 She stands by the city gate
where everyone enters the city,
and she shouts:
4 “I am calling out
to each one of you!
5 Good sense and sound judgment
can be yours.
6 Listen, because what I say
is worthwhile and right.
7 I always speak the truth
and refuse to tell a lie.
8 Every word I speak is honest,
not one is misleading
or deceptive.
9 “If you have understanding,
you will see that my words
are just what you need.
10 Let instruction and knowledge
mean more to you than silver
or the finest gold.
11 Wisdom is worth much more
than precious jewels
or anything else you desire.”
Wisdom Speaks
12 I am Wisdom —Common Sense
is my closest friend;
I possess knowledge
and sound judgment.
13 If you respect the Lord,
you will hate evil.
I hate pride and conceit
and deceitful lies.
14 I am strong, and I offer
sensible advice
and sound judgment.
15 By my power kings govern,
and rulers make laws
that are fair.
16 Every honest leader rules
with help from me.
17 I love everyone who loves me,
and I will be found by all
who honestly search.
18 I can make you rich and famous,
important and successful.
19 What you receive from me
is more valuable
than even the finest gold
or the purest silver.
20 I always do what is right,
21 and I give great riches
to everyone who loves me.
22 From the beginning,
I was with the Lord.
I was there before he began
23 to create the earth.
At the very first,
the Lord gave life to me.
24 When I was born,
there were no oceans
or springs of water.
25 My birth was before
mountains were formed
or hills were put in place.
26 It happened long before God
had made the earth
or any of its fields
or even the dust.
27 I was there when the Lord
put the heavens in place
and stretched the sky
over the surface of the sea.
28 I was with him when he placed
the clouds in the sky
and created the springs
that fill the ocean.
29 I was there when he set
boundaries for the sea
to make it obey him,
and when he laid foundations
to support the earth.
30 I was right beside the Lord,
helping him plan and build.
I made him happy each day,
and I was happy at his side.
31 I was pleased with his world
and pleased with its people.
32 Pay attention, my children!
Follow my advice,
and you will be happy.
33 Listen carefully
to my instructions,
and you will be wise.
34 Come to my home each day
and listen to me.
You will find happiness.
35 By finding me, you find life,
and the Lord will be pleased
with you.
36 But if you don't find me,
you hurt only yourself,
and if you hate me,
you are in love with death.
Gudrības slavinājums
1 Vai gudrība nesauc,
vai sapratne neceļ balsi?
2 Kalna galā ceļa malā,
krustcelēs tā stājas,
3 pie vārtiem, kas pilsētā ved,
vārtu ejā tā kliedz:
4 jums, vīri, es saucu,
es runāju uz cilvēkdēliem –
5 ņemieties jūs, vientieši, prātu
un jūs, muļķi, gūstiet saprašanu,
6 klausieties, es runāšu cildenas lietas,
kas nāk man pār lūpām, tas – pareizs!
7 Patiesība pie manām aukslējām,
riebj manām lūpām negantība,
8 taisns viss, ko teic mana mute,
nav tur nekā greiza vai viltīga –
9 viss tur taisns tādam, kas saprot,
un pareizs tam, kas atradis zināšanu!
10 Ņemiet manu mācību, ne sudrabu
un labāk zināšanu, ne izcilu zeltu,
11 jo gudrība labāka par pērlēm –
nekas, ko tu vēlētos, nebūs tai līdzīgs!
12 Es, gudrība, mītu atjautai blakus,
ar mani ir zinības un izmanība.
13 Bīties Dieva ir – nīst ļaunu!
Lepnību, augstprātību un ļaunas gaitas,
un nešķīstu muti es nīstu!
14 Man padoms un gudra ziņa,
es – saprašana, man spēks!
15 Ar mani ķēniņi valda
un valdoņi taisnību lemj,
16 ar mani augstmaņi valda
un dižciltīgie – visi taisnie soģi!
17 Kas mani mīl, tos es mīlu,
kas mani meklē, tie mani atradīs.
18 Bagātība un gods nāk man līdzi,
augoša manta un taisns guvums.
19 Mani augļi labāki par zeltu, par tīru zeltu,
un mana raža – par izcilu sudrabu.
20 Taisnības ceļu es staigāju,
turos pie patiesības takām,
21 es dāvāju pārticību tiem, kas mani mīl,
un viņu mantnīcas pildu.
Gudrības līdzdalība radīšanā
(Jņ 1:1–3)22 Kungs mani radīja, sākdams savas gaitas,
es viņam senākā – no tiem laikiem!
23 Mūžsen es darināta,
iesākumā – vēl pirms zemes!
24 Kad vēl nebija dzelmes, es dzimu,
kad nebija avotu, grūsnu ūdens,
25 pirms kalni bija guldīti,
pirms pauguri – es dzimu,
26 kad viņš vēl nebija taisījis
ne zemi, ne āres, ne pasaules pīšļus!
27 Kad viņš uzlika debesis, es biju klāt,
kad novilka apvārsni dzelmei pāri,
28 kad darīja stiprus mākoņus augšā
un spēcināja avotus dzelmē,
29 kad nolika jūrai robežu
un ūdeņi stājās, kur viņš lika,
kad nosprauda zemes pamatus,
30 tad es biju viņam līdzās kā darbiniece
un iepriecinājums diendienā,
es līksmojos viņa priekšā vislaik,
31 es līksmojos viņa pasaules lokā
un mans prieks – ar cilvēka dēliem.
32 Un nu, dēli, klausieties manī –
svētīts, kas staigā manus ceļus! –
33 Uzklausiet pamācības un topiet gudri –
neatmetiet tās!
34 Svētīts, kas klausās manī,
kas diendienā gaida pie manām durvīm,
35 jo, kas rod mani, rod dzīvību
un iemanto labvēlību no Kunga!
36 Bet, kas mani atmet, dara sev pāri –
tie, kas nīst mani, mīl nāvi!
