Proverbs 8
World English BibleTranslation
World English Bible
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
1Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
1Doth not wisdom call, and understanding put forth her voice?
2On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
2In the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she standeth;
3Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
3Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud:
4“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
4'Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.
5You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
5O ye thoughtless, understand prudence, and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
6Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
6Hear, for I will speak excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
7For my mouth shall utter truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness, there is nothing perverse or crooked in them.
9They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10Receive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.
10Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.
11For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.
11For wisdom is better than rubies, and all things desirable are not to be compared unto her.
12“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of devices.
13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.
15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
17I love them that love me, and those that seek me earnestly shall find me.
18With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
18Riches and honour are with me; yea, enduring riches and righteousness.
19My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my produce than choice silver.
20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;
21that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and that I may fill their treasuries.
22“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
22The LORD made me as the beginning of His way, the first of His works of old.
23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
24When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth;
26while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
26While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
27When he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
27When He established the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle upon the face of the deep,
28when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
28When He made firm the skies above, when the fountains of the deep showed their might,
29when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
29When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not transgress His commandment, when He appointed the foundations of the earth;
30then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
30Then I was by Him, as a nursling; and I was daily all delight, playing always before Him,
31rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
31Playing in His habitable earth, and my delights are with the sons of men.
32“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
32Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me; for happy are they that keep my ways.
33Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.
33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
34Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.
35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
36But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
36But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul; all they that hate me love death.'
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