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Proverbs 8

Doesn't wisdom call out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice? She stands on the high places beside the road, where the paths meet. She cries out beside the gates, at the entrance to the city, where people come through the doors: ‘I'm calling to you men; my voice goes out to the people.’

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Wisdom calls

Doesn't wisdom call out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice? She stands on the high places beside the road, where the paths meet. She cries out beside the gates, at the entrance to the city, where people come through the doors: ‘I'm calling to you men; my voice goes out to the people.’ You simple ones, understand wisdom; you fools, learn to have an understanding heart. ‘Listen, because I'll speak excellent things, and what comes from my lips will be right.’ My mouth will speak truth, and wickedness is disgusting to my lips. ‘Every word from my mouth is righteous; there is nothing twisted or perverse in them.’ My words are plain to anyone who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. ‘Receive my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.’ ‘Wisdom is better than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.’ “I, wisdom, live with good sense, and I find out knowledge of clever plans.” The fear of the LORD means hating evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way and the perverse mouth. Counsel and sound wisdom are mine. I am understanding; I have strength. ‘By me kings reign, and princes order justice.’ ‘By me princes rule, along with nobles and all the judges of the earth.’ I love those who love me, and those who seek me early will find me. Riches and honour are with me—lasting riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and what I yield is better than choice silver. ‘I lead in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of judgment,’ ‘so I can cause those who love me to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasuries.’

Doesn't wisdom call out? And understanding put out her voice? She stands on the top of the high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She cries out at the gates, at the entry of the town, at the coming in at the doors: I call to you, men, and my voice is to the sons of man. You simple ones, understand wisdom. And you fools, be of an understanding heart. Listen, because I'll speak of excellent things. And the opening of my lips will be right things. Because my mouth will speak truth, and wickedness is disgusting to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There's nothing twisted or crooked in them. They're all plain to the one who understands, and right to the ones who find knowledge. Take my teaching and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. Because wisdom is better than rubies, and nothing you could want can be compared to it. I, wisdom, live with good sense, and find out knowledge of clever plans. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride and being stuck up, and the evil way and the twisted mouth. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom. I'm understanding. I've got strength. By me kings rule, and leaders order what's just. By me leaders rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. I love the ones who love me. And the ones who look for me early will find me. Riches and honour are with me, yes, lasting riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and what I bring in than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of judgment — so I can make the ones who love me inherit what's real, and so I can fill their treasuries.

Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

1

Doesn't wisdom call out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice?

Plain English

Doesn't wisdom call out? And understanding put out her voice?

King James Version, 1611

Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

2

She stands on the high places beside the road, where the paths meet.

Plain English

She stands on the top of the high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

King James Version, 1611

She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

3

She cries out beside the gates, at the entrance to the city, where people come through the doors:

Plain English

She cries out at the gates, at the entry of the town, at the coming in at the doors:

King James Version, 1611

She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

4

‘I'm calling to you men; my voice goes out to the people.’

Plain English

I call to you, men, and my voice is to the sons of man.

King James Version, 1611

Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

5

You simple ones, understand wisdom; you fools, learn to have an understanding heart.

Plain English

You simple ones, understand wisdom. And you fools, be of an understanding heart.

King James Version, 1611

O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

6

‘Listen, because I'll speak excellent things, and what comes from my lips will be right.’

Plain English

Listen, because I'll speak of excellent things. And the opening of my lips will be right things.

King James Version, 1611

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

7

My mouth will speak truth, and wickedness is disgusting to my lips.

Plain English

Because my mouth will speak truth, and wickedness is disgusting to my lips.

King James Version, 1611

For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8

‘Every word from my mouth is righteous; there is nothing twisted or perverse in them.’

Plain English

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There's nothing twisted or crooked in them.

King James Version, 1611

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

9

My words are plain to anyone who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

Plain English

They're all plain to the one who understands, and right to the ones who find knowledge.

King James Version, 1611

They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

10

‘Receive my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.’

Plain English

Take my teaching and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

King James Version, 1611

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

11

‘Wisdom is better than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.’

Plain English

Because wisdom is better than rubies, and nothing you could want can be compared to it.

King James Version, 1611

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

12

“I, wisdom, live with good sense, and I find out knowledge of clever plans.”

Plain English

I, wisdom, live with good sense, and find out knowledge of clever plans.

King James Version, 1611

I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

13

The fear of the LORD means hating evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way and the perverse mouth.

Plain English

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride and being stuck up, and the evil way and the twisted mouth.

King James Version, 1611

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 and sound wisdom are mine. I am understanding; I have strength.

Plain English

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom. I'm understanding. I've got strength.

King James Version, 1611

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

15

‘By me kings reign, and princes order justice.’

Plain English

By me kings rule, and leaders order what's just.

King James Version, 1611

By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16

‘By me princes rule, along with nobles and all the judges of the earth.’

Plain English

By me leaders rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.

King James Version, 1611

By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

17

I love those who love me, and those who seek me early will find me.

Plain English

I love the ones who love me. And the ones who look for me early will find me.

King James Version, 1611

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

18

Riches and honour are with me—lasting riches and righteousness.

Plain English

Riches and honour are with me, yes, lasting riches and righteousness.

King James Version, 1611

Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

19

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and what I yield is better than choice silver.

Plain English

My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, and what I bring in than choice silver.

King James Version, 1611

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 middle of the paths of judgment,’

Plain English

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of judgment —

King James Version, 1611

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

21

‘so I can cause those who love me to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasuries.’

Plain English

so I can make the ones who love me inherit what's real, and so I can fill their treasuries.

King James Version, 1611

That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Before the earth was

The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was established from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no springs full of water. Before the mountains were settled and before the hills, I was brought forth, before he had made the earth or the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there; when he set a compass on the face of the deep. when he established the clouds above and strengthened the fountains of the deep. when he gave the sea its order so the waters would not cross his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth, Then I was beside him, as one brought up with him. Day after day I was his delight, rejoicing always before him, rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, and delighting in the people. So listen to me now, children, because blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to instruction and be wise; don't refuse it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates and waiting at the posts of my doors. Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favour from the LORD. But whoever sins against me wrongs his own soul; all who hate me love death.

The Lord had me at the start of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the start, before the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought out. When there were no springs heavy with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought out — while he still hadn't made the earth or the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world. When he set up the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the face of the deep. When he set the clouds above, when he made the springs of the deep strong. When he gave the sea his order, so the waters wouldn't go past what he said. When he marked out the foundations of the earth — then I was beside him like one brought up with him. And I was his delight day by day, celebrating always in front of him — celebrating in the part of his earth where men live, and my delight was with the sons of men. So listen to me now, you children. Because blessed are the ones who keep my ways. Listen to teaching and be wise, and don't turn it down. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Because whoever finds me finds life, and will get favour from the Lord. But whoever sins against me does wrong to his own soul. All the ones who hate me love death.

The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

22

The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

Plain English

The Lord had me at the start of his way, before his works of old.

King James Version, 1611

The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

23

I was established from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

Plain English

I was set up from everlasting, from the start, before the earth was.

King James Version, 1611

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 springs full of water.

Plain English

When there were no depths, I was brought out. When there were no springs heavy with water.

King James Version, 1611

When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

25

Before the mountains were settled and before the hills, I was brought forth,

Plain English

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought out —

King James Version, 1611

Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

26

before he had made the earth or the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world.

Plain English

while he still hadn't made the earth or the fields, or the highest part of the dust of the world.

King James Version, 1611

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 on the face of the deep.

Plain English

When he set up the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the face of the deep.

King James Version, 1611

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 and strengthened the fountains of the deep.

Plain English

When he set the clouds above, when he made the springs of the deep strong.

King James Version, 1611

When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

29

when he gave the sea its order so the waters would not cross his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

Plain English

When he gave the sea his order, so the waters wouldn't go past what he said. When he marked out the foundations of the earth —

King James Version, 1611

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 beside him, as one brought up with him. Day after day I was his delight, rejoicing always before him,

Plain English

then I was beside him like one brought up with him. And I was his delight day by day, celebrating always in front of him —

King James Version, 1611

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 delighting in the people.

Plain English

celebrating in the part of his earth where men live, and my delight was with the sons of men.

King James Version, 1611

Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

32

So listen to me now, children, because blessed are those who keep my ways.

Plain English

So listen to me now, you children. Because blessed are the ones who keep my ways.

King James Version, 1611

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

33

Listen to instruction and be wise; don't refuse it.

Plain English

Listen to teaching and be wise, and don't turn it down.

King James Version, 1611

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates and waiting at the posts of my doors.

Plain English

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

King James Version, 1611

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35

Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favour from the LORD.

Plain English

Because whoever finds me finds life, and will get favour from the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

36

But whoever sins against me wrongs his own soul; all who hate me love death.

Plain English

But whoever sins against me does wrong to his own soul. All the ones who hate me love death.

King James Version, 1611

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.