International Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Isn't wisdom calling out; isn't understanding raising her voice?

1Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice?

2On top of the highest places along the road she stands where the roads meet.

2On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3Beside the gates, at the city entrance— at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud:

3Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

4"I'm calling to you, men! What I have to say pertains to all mankind!

4"To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.

5Understand prudence, you naïve people; and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones.

5"O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom.

6Listen, because I have noble things to say, and what I have to say will reveal what is right.

6"Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

7For my mouth speaks the truth— wickedness is detestable to me.

7"For my mouth will utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8Everything I have to say is just; there isn't anything corrupt or perverse in my speech.

8"All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them.

9Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands, and correct to those who have acquired knowledge.

9"They are all straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge.

10Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money and knowledge instead of the finest gold,

10"Take my instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold.

11because wisdom is better than precious gems and nothing you desire can compare to it."

11"For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

12"I, wisdom, am related to prudence. I know how to be discreet.

12"I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion.

13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle, and perverted speech I despise.

13"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate.

14Counsel belongs to me, along with sound judgment. I am understanding. Power belongs to me.

14"Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.

15Kings reign by me, and rulers dispense justice through me.

15"By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.

16By me leaders rule, as do noble officials and all who govern justly.

16"By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly.

17I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me.

17"I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

18Wealth and honor accompany me, as do enduring wealth and righteousness.

18"Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness.

19My fruit is better than gold, better than even refined gold, and my benefit surpasses the purest silver.

19"My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver.

20I walk on the way of righteousness, along paths that are just,

20"I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice,

21I bequeath wealth to those who love me, and I will fill their treasuries."

21To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.

22"The LORD made me as he began his planning, before his ancient activity commenced.

22"The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old.

23From eternity I was appointed, from the beginning, from before there was land.

23"From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.

24When there were no ocean depths, I brought them to birth at a time when there were no springs.

24"When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water.

25Before the mountains were shaped, before there were hills, I was bringing them to birth.

25"Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth;

26Even though he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the world's first grains of dust,

26While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world.

27when he crafted the heavens, I was there— when he marked out a circle on the face of the deep,

27"When He established the heavens, I was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,

28when he made the clouds from above, when the springs of the depths were established,

28When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed,

29when he set a boundary for the sea so the waters would not exceed his limits, when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

29When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;

30Then I was with him, his master craftsman— I was his delight daily, continuously rejoicing in his presence,

30Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him,

31rejoicing in his inhabitable world and taking delight in mankind."

31Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men.

32"So listen to me, children! Blessed are those who obey me.

32"Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways.

33Listen to instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it.

33"Heed instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it.

34Blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorways—

34"Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts.

35because those who find me find life and gain favor from the LORD.

35"For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD.

36But whoever sins against me destroys himself; everyone who hates me loves death."

36"But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death."

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org