New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? | 1Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? |
2At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; | 2On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. |
3beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: | 3Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: |
4"To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. | 4“To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men. |
5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. | 5O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. |
6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. | 6Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. |
7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. | 7For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. |
8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. | 8All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse. |
9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. | 9They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge. |
10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, | 10Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. |
11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. | 11For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her. |
12"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. | 12I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. |
13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. | 13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. |
14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. | 14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength. |
15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; | 15By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; |
16by me princes govern, and nobles--all who rule on earth. | 16By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly. |
17I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. | 17I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. |
18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. | 18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness. |
19My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. | 19My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver. |
20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, | 20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, |
21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full. | 21bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. |
22"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; | 22The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. |
23I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. | 23From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. |
24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing with water; | 24When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water. |
25before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, | 25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth, |
26before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. | 26before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth. |
27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, | 27I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, |
28when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, | 28when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth, |
29when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. | 29when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth. |
30Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, | 30Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence. |
31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. | 31I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men. |
32"Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. | 32Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. |
33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. | 33Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. |
34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. | 34Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway. |
35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. | 35For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD. |
36But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death." | 36But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” |
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