New International Version | International Standard Version |
1Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? | 1Isn't wisdom calling out; isn't understanding raising her voice? |
2At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; | 2On top of the highest places along the road she stands where the roads meet. |
3beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud: | 3Beside the gates, at the city entrance— at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud: |
4"To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. | 4"I'm calling to you, men! What I have to say pertains to all mankind! |
5You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. | 5Understand prudence, you naïve people; and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones. |
6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. | 6Listen, because I have noble things to say, and what I have to say will reveal what is right. |
7My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. | 7For my mouth speaks the truth— wickedness is detestable to me. |
8All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. | 8Everything I have to say is just; there isn't anything corrupt or perverse in my speech. |
9To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. | 9Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands, and correct to those who have acquired knowledge. |
10Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, | 10Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money and knowledge instead of the finest gold, |
11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. | 11because wisdom is better than precious gems and nothing you desire can compare to it." |
12"I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. | 12"I, wisdom, am related to prudence. I know how to be discreet. |
13To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. | 13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle, and perverted speech I despise. |
14Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power. | 14Counsel belongs to me, along with sound judgment. I am understanding. Power belongs to me. |
15By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just; | 15Kings reign by me, and rulers dispense justice through me. |
16by me princes govern, and nobles--all who rule on earth. | 16By me leaders rule, as do noble officials and all 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 will find me. |
18With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. | 18Wealth and honor accompany me, as do enduring wealth and righteousness. |
19My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. | 19My fruit is better than gold, better than even refined gold, and my benefit surpasses the purest silver. |
20I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, | 20I walk on the way of righteousness, along paths that are just, |
21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full. | 21I bequeath wealth to those who love me, and I will fill their treasuries." |
22"The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; | 22"The LORD made me as he began his planning, before his ancient activity commenced. |
23I was formed long ages ago, at the very beginning, when the world came to be. | 23From eternity I was appointed, from the beginning, from before there was land. |
24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth, when there were no springs overflowing 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 in place, before the hills, I was given birth, | 25Before the mountains were shaped, before there were hills, I was bringing them to birth. |
26before he made the world or its fields or any of the dust of the earth. | 26Even though he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the world's first grains of dust, |
27I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, | 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 and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, | 28when he made the clouds from above, when the springs of the depths were established, |
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 the waters would not exceed his limits, 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 with him, his master craftsman— I was his delight daily, continuously rejoicing in his presence, |
31rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. | 31rejoicing in his inhabitable world and taking delight in mankind." |
32"Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. | 32"So listen to me, children! Blessed are those who obey me. |
33Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. | 33Listen to instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. |
34Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. | 34Blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorways— |
35For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD. | 35because those who find me find life and gain favor from the LORD. |
36But those who fail to find me harm themselves; all who hate me love death." | 36But whoever sins against me destroys himself; everyone who hates me loves death." |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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