Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
1 Does not wisdom call, does not understanding raise her voice?
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Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 On the heights beside the way, in the paths she takes her stand;
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At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
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beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 "To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the sons of men.
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“To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 O simple ones, learn prudence; O foolish men, pay attention.
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You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.
6 Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right;
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Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
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My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
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All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 They are all straight to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge.
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To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold;
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Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
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for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12 I, wisdom, dwell in prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
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“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
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To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 I have counsel and sound wisdom, I have insight, I have strength.
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Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just;
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By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes rule, and nobles govern the earth.
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by me princes govern, and nobles—all who rule on earth.
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
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I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and prosperity.
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With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.
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My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,
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I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21 endowing with wealth those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
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bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.