Proverbs 8 – read and compare multiple versions
Proverbs 8
[1] Doesn’t wisdom cry out?
Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
[2] On the top of high places by the way,
where the paths meet, she stands.
[3] Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,
at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
[4] “I call to you men!
I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
[5] You simple, understand prudence!
You fools, be of an understanding heart!
[6] Hear, for I will speak excellent things.
The opening of my lips is for right things.
[7] For my mouth speaks truth.
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
[8] All the words of my mouth are in righteousness.
There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
[9] They are all plain to him who understands,
right to those who find knowledge.
[10] Receive my instruction rather than silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold.
[11] For wisdom is better than rubies.
All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it. [12] “I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling.
Find out knowledge and discretion.
[13] The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil.
I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
[14] Counsel and sound knowledge are mine.
I have understanding and power.
[15] By me kings reign,
and princes decree justice.
[16] By me princes rule,
nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
[17] I love those who love me.
Those who seek me diligently will find me.
[18] With me are riches, honor,
enduring wealth, and prosperity.
[19] My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
my yield than choice silver.
[20] I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the middle of the paths of justice,
[21] that I may give wealth to those who love me.
I fill their treasuries. [22] “Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work,
before his deeds of old.
[23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
before the earth existed.
[24] When there were no depths, I was born,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
[25] Before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was born;
[26] while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
[27] When he established the heavens, I was there.
When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
[28] when he established the clouds above,
when the springs of the deep became strong,
[29] when he gave to the sea its boundary,
that the waters should not violate his commandment,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
[30] then I was the craftsman by his side.
I was a delight day by day,
always rejoicing before him,
[31] rejoicing in his whole world.
My delight was with the sons of men. [32] “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
for blessed are those who keep my ways.
[33] Hear instruction, and be wise.
Don’t refuse it.
[34] Blessed is the man who hears me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting at my door posts.
[35] For whoever finds me finds life,
and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
[36] But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul.
All those who hate me love death.”
Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
[2] On the top of high places by the way,
where the paths meet, she stands.
[3] Beside the gates, at the entry of the city,
at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
[4] “I call to you men!
I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
[5] You simple, understand prudence!
You fools, be of an understanding heart!
[6] Hear, for I will speak excellent things.
The opening of my lips is for right things.
[7] For my mouth speaks truth.
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
[8] All the words of my mouth are in righteousness.
There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
[9] They are all plain to him who understands,
right to those who find knowledge.
[10] Receive my instruction rather than silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold.
[11] For wisdom is better than rubies.
All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it. [12] “I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling.
Find out knowledge and discretion.
[13] The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil.
I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
[14] Counsel and sound knowledge are mine.
I have understanding and power.
[15] By me kings reign,
and princes decree justice.
[16] By me princes rule,
nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
[17] I love those who love me.
Those who seek me diligently will find me.
[18] With me are riches, honor,
enduring wealth, and prosperity.
[19] My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
my yield than choice silver.
[20] I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the middle of the paths of justice,
[21] that I may give wealth to those who love me.
I fill their treasuries. [22] “Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work,
before his deeds of old.
[23] I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning,
before the earth existed.
[24] When there were no depths, I was born,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
[25] Before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was born;
[26] while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,
nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
[27] When he established the heavens, I was there.
When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,
[28] when he established the clouds above,
when the springs of the deep became strong,
[29] when he gave to the sea its boundary,
that the waters should not violate his commandment,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
[30] then I was the craftsman by his side.
I was a delight day by day,
always rejoicing before him,
[31] rejoicing in his whole world.
My delight was with the sons of men. [32] “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
for blessed are those who keep my ways.
[33] Hear instruction, and be wise.
Don’t refuse it.
[34] Blessed is the man who hears me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting at my door posts.
[35] For whoever finds me finds life,
and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
[36] But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul.
All those who hate me love death.”