Proverbs 7:4
New International Version
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”

New Living Translation
Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.

English Standard Version
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend,

Berean Standard Bible
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,

King James Bible
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

New King James Version
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your nearest kin,

New American Standard Bible
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your intimate friend,

NASB 1995
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your intimate friend;

NASB 1977
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your intimate friend;

Legacy Standard Bible
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” And call understanding your intimate friend;

Amplified Bible
Say to [skillful and godly] wisdom, “You are my sister,” And regard understanding and intelligent insight as your intimate friends;

Christian Standard Bible
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your relative.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your relative.

American Standard Version
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; And call understanding thy kinswoman:

Contemporary English Version
Let wisdom be your sister and make common sense your closest friend.

English Revised Version
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Say to wisdom, "You are my sister." Give the name "my relative" to understanding

Good News Translation
Treat wisdom as your sister, and insight as your closest friend.

International Standard Version
Say to wisdom, "You're my sister!" and call understanding your close relative,

Majority Standard Bible
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman,

NET Bible
Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding a close relative,

New Heart English Bible
Tell wisdom, "You are my sister." Call understanding your relative,

Webster's Bible Translation
Say to wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:

World English Bible
Tell wisdom, “You are my sister.” Call understanding your relative,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Say to wisdom, “You [are] my sister.” And cry to understanding, “Relative!”

Young's Literal Translation
Say to wisdom, 'My sister Thou art.' And cry to understanding, 'Kinswoman!'

Smith's Literal Translation
Say to wisdom, Thou my sister; and thou shalt call knowledge to understanding:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Say to wisdom: Thou art my sister: and call prudence thy friend,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call prudence your friend.

New American Bible
Say to Wisdom, “You are my sister!” Call Understanding, “Friend!”

New Revised Standard Version
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Say to wisdom, You are my sister; and to understanding, You are my counselor

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Say to wisdom, " You are my sister”, and to understanding, "My expounder of knowledge.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Say unto wisdom: 'Thou art my sister', And call understanding thy kinswoman;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Say that wisdom is thy sister, and gain prudence as an acquaintance for thyself;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Warnings about the Adulteress
3Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman, 5that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words.…

Cross References
Proverbs 4:5-7
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. / Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. / Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, / if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, / if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, ...

Proverbs 3:13-18
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...

Proverbs 8:1-11
Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? / On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. / Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: ...

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Colossians 2:2-3
that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Job 28:28
And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding. His praise endures forever!

Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

Matthew 11:19
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”

Luke 7:35
But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

1 Corinthians 2:6-7
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

Ephesians 1:17
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.


Treasury of Scripture

Say to wisdom, You are my sister; and call understanding your kinswoman:

say

Proverbs 2:2-4
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; …

Proverbs 4:6-8
Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee…

Proverbs 11:18-20
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward…

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Cry Friend Insight Intelligence Intimate Kinsman Kinswoman Relative Sister Special Understanding Wisdom
Proverbs 7
1. Solomon persuades to a sincere and kind familiarity with wisdom
6. In an example of his own experience he shows
10. the cunning of a harlot
22. and the desperate simplicity of a young wanton
24. He detests such wickedness














Say to wisdom
The Hebrew word for "wisdom" here is "חָכְמָה" (chokmah), which encompasses not just knowledge but also the skillful application of knowledge in daily life. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued and often personified as a woman, a theme prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs. The directive to "say" implies an active, intentional declaration, suggesting that wisdom should be embraced and acknowledged as an integral part of one's life. This aligns with the conservative Christian view that wisdom is a divine gift, to be earnestly sought and cherished.

You are my sister
In ancient Hebrew culture, the term "sister" denotes a close, familial relationship, one of intimacy and protection. By calling wisdom a "sister," the verse emphasizes the need for a personal and enduring relationship with wisdom. This familial language suggests that wisdom should be as familiar and dear to us as our own family members. From a conservative Christian perspective, this reflects the belief that wisdom, as a gift from God, should be integrated into the fabric of our lives, guiding our decisions and actions.

and call understanding
The Hebrew word for "understanding" is "בִּינָה" (binah), which refers to discernment and insight. It is the ability to see beyond the surface and grasp the deeper meaning of situations. The act of "calling" understanding implies an invitation and a recognition of its value. In the biblical context, understanding is not merely intellectual but is deeply spiritual, involving the heart and mind working in harmony. Conservative Christians view understanding as essential for living a life that honors God, as it enables believers to discern His will and apply His truths.

your kinsman
The term "kinsman" in Hebrew is "מֹדַע" (moda), which refers to a close relative or family member. This word choice reinforces the idea of a strong, supportive relationship. In the ancient world, a kinsman was someone who provided protection, support, and assistance. By calling understanding a "kinsman," the verse suggests that it should be a constant companion, offering guidance and support in all aspects of life. From a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the importance of understanding as a divine ally, helping believers navigate the complexities of life with godly wisdom and insight.

Verse 4. - Say unto Wisdom, Thou art my sister. Wisdom is personified, and the connection with her indicated by the relationship which best expresses love, purity, confidence. In the Book of Wisdom 8. she is represented as wife. Christ calls those who do God's will his brother, and sister, and mother (Matthew 12:50). Call Understanding thy kinswoman; moda, "familiar friend." Let prudence and sound sense be as dear to thee as a close friend.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Say
אֱמֹ֣ר (’ĕ·mōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to wisdom,
לַֽ֭חָכְמָה (la·ḥā·ḵə·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

“You
אָ֑תְּ (’āt)
Pronoun - second person feminine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are my sister,”
אֲחֹ֣תִי (’ă·ḥō·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

and call
תִקְרָֽא׃ (ṯiq·rā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

understanding
לַבִּינָ֥ה (lab·bî·nāh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 998: An understanding

your kinsman,
וּ֝מֹדָ֗ע (ū·mō·ḏā‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4129: An acquaintance


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 7:4 Tell wisdom You are my sister (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 7:3
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