International Standard Version

English Standard Version

1Isn't wisdom calling out; isn't understanding raising her voice?

1Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?

2On top of the highest places along the road she stands where the roads meet.

2On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;

3Beside the gates, at the city entrance— at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud:

3beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

4"I'm calling to you, men! What I have to say pertains to all mankind!

4“To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.

5Understand prudence, you naïve people; and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones.

5O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.

6Listen, because I have noble things to say, and what I have to say will reveal what is right.

6Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,

7For my mouth speaks the truth— wickedness is detestable to me.

7for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8Everything I have to say is just; there isn't anything corrupt or perverse in my speech.

8All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

9Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands, and correct to those who have acquired knowledge.

9They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

10Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money and knowledge instead of the finest gold,

10Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,

11because wisdom is better than precious gems and nothing you desire can compare to it."

11for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

12"I, wisdom, am related to prudence. I know how to be discreet.

12“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle, and perverted speech I despise.

13The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

14Counsel belongs to me, along with sound judgment. I am understanding. Power belongs to me.

14I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.

15Kings reign by me, and rulers dispense justice through me.

15By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;

16By me leaders rule, as do noble officials and all who govern justly.

16by me princes rule, and nobles, all who govern justly.

17I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me.

17I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

18Wealth and honor accompany me, as do enduring wealth and righteousness.

18Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.

19My fruit is better than gold, better than even refined gold, and my benefit surpasses the purest silver.

19My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.

20I walk on the way of righteousness, along paths that are just,

20I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,

21I bequeath wealth to those who love me, and I will fill their treasuries."

21granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.

22"The LORD made me as he began his planning, before his ancient activity commenced.

22“The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.

23From eternity I was appointed, from the beginning, from before there was land.

23Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

24When there were no ocean depths, I brought them to birth at a time when there were no springs.

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

25Before the mountains were shaped, before there were hills, I was bringing them to birth.

25Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth,

26Even though he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the world's first grains of dust,

26before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world.

27when he crafted the heavens, I was there— when he marked out a circle on the face of the deep,

27When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28when he made the clouds from above, when the springs of the depths were established,

28when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,

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.

29when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

30Then I was with him, his master craftsman— I was his delight daily, continuously rejoicing in his presence,

30then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

31rejoicing in his inhabitable world and taking delight in mankind."

31rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.

32"So listen to me, children! Blessed are those who obey me.

32“And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.

33Listen to instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it.

33Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.

34Blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorways—

34Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

35because those who find me find life and gain favor from the LORD.

35For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD,

36But whoever sins against me destroys himself; everyone who hates me loves death."

36but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.