King James Bible | International Standard Version |
1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? | 1Isn't wisdom calling out; isn't understanding raising her voice? |
2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. | 2On top of the highest places along the road she stands where the roads meet. |
3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. | 3Beside the gates, at the city entrance— at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud: |
4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. | 4"I'm calling to you, men! What I have to say pertains to all mankind! |
5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. | 5Understand prudence, you naïve people; and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones. |
6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. | 6Listen, because I have noble things to say, and what I have to say will reveal what is right. |
7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. | 7For my mouth speaks the truth— wickedness is detestable to me. |
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. | 8Everything I have to say is just; there isn't anything corrupt or perverse in my speech. |
9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. | 9Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands, and correct to those who have acquired knowledge. |
10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. | 10Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money and knowledge instead of the finest gold, |
11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. | 11because wisdom is better than precious gems and nothing you desire can compare to it." |
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. | 12"I, wisdom, am related to prudence. I know how to be discreet. |
13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. | 13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle, and perverted speech I despise. |
14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. | 14Counsel belongs to me, along with sound judgment. I am understanding. Power belongs to me. |
15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. | 15Kings reign by me, and rulers dispense justice through me. |
16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. | 16By me leaders rule, as do noble officials and all who govern justly. |
17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. | 17I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me. |
18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. | 18Wealth and honor accompany me, as do enduring wealth and righteousness. |
19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. | 19My fruit is better than gold, better than even refined gold, and my benefit surpasses the purest silver. |
20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: | 20I walk on the way of righteousness, along paths that are just, |
21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. | 21I bequeath wealth to those who love me, and I will fill their treasuries." |
22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. | 22"The LORD made me as he began his planning, before his ancient activity commenced. |
23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. | 23From eternity I was appointed, from the beginning, from before there was land. |
24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. | 24When there were no ocean depths, I brought them to birth at a time when there were no springs. |
25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: | 25Before the mountains were shaped, before there were hills, I was bringing them to birth. |
26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. | 26Even though he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the world's first grains of dust, |
27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: | 27when he crafted the heavens, I was there— when he marked out a circle on the face of the deep, |
28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: | 28when he made the clouds from above, when the springs of the depths were established, |
29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: | 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. |
30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; | 30Then I was with him, his master craftsman— I was his delight daily, continuously rejoicing in his presence, |
31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. | 31rejoicing in his inhabitable world and taking delight in mankind." |
32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. | 32"So listen to me, children! Blessed are those who obey me. |
33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. | 33Listen to instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. |
34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. | 34Blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorways— |
35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. | 35because those who find me find life and gain favor from the LORD. |
36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. | 36But whoever sins against me destroys himself; everyone who hates me loves death." |
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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