Proverbs 8

1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?WEBDoesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?

2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.WEBOn the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.

3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.WEBBeside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:

4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.WEB“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.

5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.WEBYou simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!

6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.WEBHear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.WEBFor my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.WEBAll the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.

9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.WEBThey are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.WEBReceive my instruction rather than silver, knowledge rather than choice gold.

11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.WEBFor wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can’t be compared to it.

12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.WEB“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.

13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.WEBThe fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.

14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.WEBCounsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.

15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.WEBBy me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.WEBBy me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.

17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.WEBI love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.

18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.WEBWith me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.

19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.WEBMy fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.

20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:WEBI walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,

21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.WEBthat I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.

22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.WEB“Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.

23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.WEBI was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.

24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.WEBWhen there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.

25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:WEBBefore the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;

26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.WEBwhile as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.

27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:WEBWhen he established the heavens, I was there. When he set a circle on the surface of the deep,

28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:WEBwhen he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,

29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:WEBwhen he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, 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;WEBthen I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,

31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.WEBrejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.

32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.WEB“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.

33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.WEBHear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.

34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.WEBBlessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.

35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.WEBFor whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh.

36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.WEBBut he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”