King James Bible

International Standard Version

1Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

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

2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

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

3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

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

4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

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

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

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

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

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

15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

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

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

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

17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

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

18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

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

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

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

20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

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

21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

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

22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

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

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

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

24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding 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, before the hills was I brought forth:

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

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

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

27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

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: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

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

29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed 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 by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

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

31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

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

32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

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

33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

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

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

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

35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

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

36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

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

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

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