This morning let’s listen to a profound message from Wisdom.

I am Lady Wisdom, and I live next to Sanity;

Knowledge and Discretion live just down the street.

The Fear-of-God means hating Evil,

whose ways I hate with a passion—

pride and arrogance and crooked talk.

Good counsel and common sense are my characteristics;

I am both Insight and the Virtue to live it out.

With my help, leaders rule,

and lawmakers legislate fairly;

With my help, governors govern,

along with all in legitimate authority.

I love those who love me;

those who look for me find me.

Wealth and Glory accompany me—

also substantial Honor and a Good Name.

My benefits are worth more than a big salary, even a very big salary;

the returns on me exceed any imaginable bonus.

You can find me on Righteous Road—that’s where I walk—

at the intersection of Justice Avenue,

Handing out life to those who love me,

filling their arms with life—armloads of life!

22-31

“God sovereignly made me—the first, the basic—

before he did anything else.

I was brought into being a long time ago,

well before Earth got its start.

I arrived on the scene before Ocean,

yes, even before Springs and Rivers and Lakes.

Before Mountains were sculpted and Hills took shape,

I was already there, newborn;

Long before God stretched out Earth’s Horizons,

and tended to the minute details of Soil and Weather,

And set Sky firmly in place,

I was there.

When he mapped and gave borders to wild Ocean,

built the vast vault of Heaven,

and installed the fountains that fed Ocean,

When he drew a boundary for Sea,

posted a sign that said no trespassing,

And then staked out Earth’s Foundations,

I was right there with him, making sure everything fit.

Day after day I was there, with my joyful applause,

always enjoying his company,

Delighted with the world of things and creatures,

happily celebrating the human family.

32-36

“So, my dear friends, listen carefully;

those who embrace these my ways are most blessed.

Mark a life of discipline and live wisely;

don’t squander your precious life.

Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me,

awake and ready for me each morning,

alert and responsive as I start my day’s work.

When you find me, you find life, real life,

to say nothing of God’s good pleasure.

But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul;

when you reject me, you’re flirting with death.”

I have just read to you the Message translation of Proverbs 8:22-36. This morning I urge you to walk in wisdom, talk with wisdom, let your path be guided by wisdom. Godly wisdom is a strength like no other. REMEMBER.