INTRODUCTION:  Solomon often gives wisdom a personality. Wisdom cries in the streets (Proverbs 1:20Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
See All...) and is to be treated as a sister (Proverbs 7:4Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
See All...). Wisdom even builds a house (Proverbs 9:1Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
See All...). But Proverbs, chapter eight, takes this practice to a much higher level. The entire chapter speaks of wisdom as a person. Wisdom cries out as before (Proverbs 8:1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
See All...). However, in the passage referring to creation (Proverbs 8:22-31 [22] The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. [23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. [24] When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. [25] Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: [26] While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. [27] When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: [28] When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: [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: [30] Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; [31] Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
See All...), wisdom takes on a much stronger identity. Wisdom was “set up from everlasting, from the beginning” (Proverbs 8:23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
See All...). Wisdom was by the Lord, “as one brought up with him” (Proverbs 8:30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
See All...) and was “daily his delight, rejoicing always before him” (Proverbs 8:30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
See All...). These statements compare with the part the Word [Jesus Christ] had in creation as described in John 1:1-3 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
See All... and the relationship Christ had to the Father as spoken of in His prayer in John 17:5And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
See All..., 24-26). Also, in 1 Corinthians 1:24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
See All..., Christ is called “the wisdom of God.” Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God in this chapter of Proverbs.

1. THE CRY OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:1-11 [1] Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? [2] She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. [3] She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. [4] Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. [5] O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. [6] Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. [7] For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. [8] All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. [9] They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. [10] Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. [11] For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
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1. A Public Cry (Proverbs 8:1-3 [1] Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? [2] She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. [3] She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
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1. The action of wisdom (Proverbs 8:1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
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1. It cries out
2. It puts forth its voice
2. The locations of wisdom (Proverbs 8:2-3 [2] She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. [3] She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
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1. In the top of the high places (Proverbs 8:2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
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2. In the places of the paths (Proverbs 8:2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
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3. At the gates of the city (Proverbs 8:3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
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2. A Personal Cry (Proverbs 8:4-5 [4] Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. [5] O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
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1. Unto men (Proverbs 8:4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
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2. Unto the sons of men (Proverbs 8:4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
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3. Unto the simple (Proverbs 8:5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
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4. Unto the foolish (Proverbs 8:5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
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3. A Profitable Cry (Proverbs 8:6-9 [6] Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. [7] For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. [8] All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. [9] They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
   See All...; compare Philippians 4:8
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1. Of excellent things (Proverbs 8:6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
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2. Of right things (Proverbs 8:6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
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3. Of true things (Proverbs 8:7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
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4. Of righteous things (Proverbs 8:8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
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5. Of plain things (Proverbs 8:9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
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4. A Precious Cry (Proverbs 8:10-11 [10] Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. [11] For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
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1. Better than silver or gold (Proverbs 8:10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
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2. Better than rubies (Proverbs 8:11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
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3. Better than all things that may be desired (Proverbs 8:11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
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2. THE COUNSEL OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:12-21 [12] I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. [13] The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. [14] Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. [15] By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. [16] By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. [17] I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. [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. [20] I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: [21] That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
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1. The Fear of Wisdom’s Counsel (Proverbs 8:12-14 [12] I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. [13] The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. [14] Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
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1. The prudence of wisdom (Proverbs 8:12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
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2. The hatred of wisdom (Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
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1. Evil
2. Pride
3. Arrogance
4. The evil way
5. The forward mouth [willfully stubborn; uncontrollable]
3. The strength of wisdom (Proverbs 8:14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
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1. The strength of counsel
2. The strength of sound wisdom
3. The strength of understanding
2. The Force of Wisdom’s Counsel (Proverbs 8:15-16 [15] By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. [16] By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
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1. Enabling kings to reign (Proverbs 8:15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
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2. Enabling princes to decree justice (Proverbs 8:15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
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3. Enabling princes, nobles, and judges to rule (Proverbs 8:16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
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3. The Fruit of Wisdom’s Counsel (Proverbs 8:17-21 [17] I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. [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. [20] I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: [21] That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
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1. The fruit of return (Proverbs 8:17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
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1. Wisdom loves those who love it
2. Wisdom is found of those who seek it
2. The fruit of riches (Proverbs 8:18-19 [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.
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1. Riches that are durable (Proverbs 8:18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
   See All...; Matthew 6:19-20 [19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
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2. Riches that are superior (Proverbs 8:19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
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3. The fruit of righteousness (Proverbs 8:20-21 [20] I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: [21] That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
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1. Leading in the way of righteousness (Proverbs 8:20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
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2. Receiving the rewards of righteousness (Proverbs 8:21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
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3. THE COMPANION OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:22-31 [22] The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. [23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. [24] When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. [25] Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: [26] While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. [27] When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: [28] When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: [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: [30] Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; [31] Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
   See All...)
1. From the Beginning (Proverbs 8:22-26 [22] The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. [23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. [24] When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. [25] Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: [26] While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
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1. Possessed by the LORD (Proverbs 8:22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
   See All...; see John 8:42Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
   See All...; John 16:28I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
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1. In the beginning of His way
2. Before His works of old
2. Set up by the LORD (Proverbs 8:23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
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1. From everlasting (Micah 5:2But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
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2. From the beginning or ever the earth was (John 1:1-2 [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God.
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3. Preexisting all creation (Proverbs 8:24-26 [24] When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. [25] Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: [26] While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
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1. Before the depths and the fountains (Proverbs 8:24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
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2. Before the mountains and hills (Proverbs 8:25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
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3. Before the earth, fields, or dust (Proverbs 8:26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
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2. As One Brought Up With Him (Proverbs 8:27-31 [27] When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: [28] When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: [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: [30] Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; [31] Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
   See All...)
1. God’s companion in creation (Proverbs 8:27-29 [27] When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: [28] When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: [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:
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1. When He prepared the heavens (Proverbs 8:27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
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2. When He set a compass on the deep (Proverbs 8:27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
   See All...; Isaiah 40:22It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
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3. When He established the clouds above (Proverbs 8:28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
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4. When He strengthened the fountains of the deep (Proverbs 8:28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
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5. When He gave the sea His decree (Proverbs 8:29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
   See All...; Job 38:8-11 [8] Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? [9] When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, [10] And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, [11] And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
   See All...; Psalm 104:9Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
   See All...; Jeremiah 5:22Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
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6. When He appointed the foundations of the earth (Proverbs 8:29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
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2. God’s companion in relation (Proverbs 8:30-31 [30] Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; [31] Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
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1. Communion (Proverbs 8:30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
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1. By Him
2. As one brought up with Him
2. Delight (Proverbs 8:30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
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1. Daily His delight
2. Rejoicing always before Him
3. Purpose (Proverbs 8:31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
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1. Focusing on the habitable part of the earth
2. Finding delight with the sons of men
3. The earth was made for man; not man for the earth (Psalm 115:16The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
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4. THE COMFORT OF WISDOM (Proverbs 8:32-36 [32] Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. [33] Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. [34] Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. [35] For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. [36] But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
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1. The Comfort of Wisdom’s Blessing (Proverbs 8:32-34 [32] Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. [33] Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. [34] Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
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1. To those who keep the ways of wisdom (Proverbs 8:32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
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2. To those who hear instruction (Proverbs 8:33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
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3. To those who wait daily at the gates of wisdom (Proverbs 8:34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
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2. The Comfort of Wisdom’s Bounty (Proverbs 8:35-36 [35] For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. [36] But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
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