8:17

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. They form a chiasm in the Berean Standard Bible but not in Hebrew.

17a
I love those who love me,

17b and those who seek me early shall find me.

In this verse, Wisdom gives two promises. She promises to love those who love her, and she promises that those who seek her will find her.

8:17a

I love those who love me: If the idea that Wisdom “loves” people is not clear or natural in your language, another way to translate this line is:

I reward those who love me.

8:17b

those who seek me early shall find me: In Hebrew, the verb seek…early is an intensive form of the verb, so a more accurate translation is:

seek me diligently (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
searches eagerly for me (New Jerusalem Bible)

In many languages, it will be possible to maintain the figurative idea of searching for wisdom and finding her. If it is not possible, the nonfigurative meaning may be expressed as:

those who earnestly desire to become wise will indeed become wise

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