New Living Translation | International Standard Version |
1Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! | 1Isn't wisdom calling out; isn't understanding raising her voice? |
2On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads. | 2On top of the highest places along the road she stands where the roads meet. |
3By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud, | 3Beside the gates, at the city entrance— at the entrance to the portals she cries aloud: |
4“I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people. | 4"I'm calling to you, men! What I have to say pertains to all mankind! |
5You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding. | 5Understand prudence, you naïve people; and gain an understanding heart, you foolish ones. |
6Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right, | 6Listen, because I have noble things to say, and what I have to say will reveal what is right. |
7for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception. | 7For my mouth speaks the truth— wickedness is detestable to me. |
8My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it. | 8Everything I have to say is just; there isn't anything corrupt or perverse in my speech. |
9My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge. | 9Everything I say is sensible to someone who understands, and correct to those who have acquired knowledge. |
10Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. | 10Grab hold of my instruction in lieu of money and knowledge instead of the finest gold, |
11For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it. | 11because wisdom is better than precious gems and nothing you desire can compare to it." |
12“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. | 12"I, wisdom, am related to prudence. I know how to be discreet. |
13All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. | 13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle, and perverted speech I despise. |
14Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. | 14Counsel belongs to me, along with sound judgment. I am understanding. Power belongs to me. |
15Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees. | 15Kings reign by me, and rulers dispense justice through me. |
16Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments. | 16By me leaders rule, as do noble officials and all who govern justly. |
17“I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. | 17I love those who love me, and those who seek me will find me. |
18I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice. | 18Wealth and honor accompany me, as do enduring wealth and righteousness. |
19My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! | 19My fruit is better than gold, better than even refined gold, and my benefit surpasses the purest silver. |
20I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. | 20I walk on the way of righteousness, along paths that are just, |
21Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries. | 21I bequeath wealth to those who love me, and I will fill their treasuries." |
22“The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. | 22"The LORD made me as he began his planning, before his ancient activity commenced. |
23I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. | 23From eternity I was appointed, from the beginning, from before there was land. |
24I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. | 24When there were no ocean depths, I brought them to birth at a time when there were no springs. |
25Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born— | 25Before the mountains were shaped, before there were hills, I was bringing them to birth. |
26before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. | 26Even though he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the world's first grains of dust, |
27I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. | 27when he crafted the heavens, I was there— when he marked out a circle on the face of the deep, |
28I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth. | 28when he made the clouds from above, when the springs of the depths were established, |
29I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, | 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. |
30I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. | 30Then I was with him, his master craftsman— I was his delight daily, continuously rejoicing in his presence, |
31And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family! | 31rejoicing in his inhabitable world and taking delight in mankind." |
32“And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. | 32"So listen to me, children! Blessed are those who obey me. |
33Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it. | 33Listen to instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it. |
34Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! | 34Blessed is the person who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorways— |
35For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. | 35because those who find me find life and gain favor from the LORD. |
36But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.” | 36But whoever sins against me destroys himself; everyone who hates me loves death." |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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