| World English Bible (WEB) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 Doesn't wisdom cry out? Doesn't understanding raise her voice? | 1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? |
| 2 On the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she stands. | 2 On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; |
| 3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entry doors, she cries aloud: | 3 beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: |
| 4 "To you men, I call! I send my voice to the sons of mankind. | 4 "To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. |
| 5 You simple, understand prudence. You fools, be of an understanding heart. | 5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. |
| 6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things. | 6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. |
| 7 For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. | 7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. |
| 8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. | 8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. |
| 9 They are all plain to him who understands, Right to those who find knowledge. | 9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. |
| 10 Receive my instruction rather than silver; Knowledge rather than choice gold. | 10 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, |
| 11 For wisdom is better than rubies. All the things that may be desired can't be compared to it. | 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. |
| 12 "I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion. | 12 "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. |
| 13 The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. | 13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. |
| 14 Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power. | 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. |
| 15 By me kings reign, And princes decree justice. | 15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; |
| 16 By me princes rule; Nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth. | 16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. |
| 17 I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me. | 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. |
| 18 With me are riches, honor, Enduring wealth, and prosperity. | 18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. |
| 19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; My yield than choice silver. | 19 My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. |
| 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice; | 20 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, |
| 21 That I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries. | 21 bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. |
| 22 "Yahweh possessed me in the beginning of his work, Before his deeds of old. | 22 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; |
| 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Before the earth existed. | 23 I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. |
| 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water. | 24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water; |
| 25 Before the mountains were settled in place, Before the hills, I was brought forth; | 25 before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth, |
| 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. | 26 before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world. |
| 27 When he established the heavens, I was there; When he set a circle on the surface of the deep, | 27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, |
| 28 When he established the clouds above, When the springs of the deep became strong, | 28 when he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, |
| 29 When he gave to the sea its boundary, That the waters should not violate his commandment, When he marked out the foundations of the earth; | 29 when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. |
| 30 Then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, Always rejoicing before him, | 30 Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, |
| 31 Rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men. | 31 rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. |
| 32 "Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, For blessed are those who keep my ways. | 32 "Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. |
| 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, Don't refuse it. | 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. |
| 34 Blessed is the man who hears me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my door posts. | 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. |
| 35 For whoever finds me, finds life, And will obtain favor from Yahweh. | 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. |
| 36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death." | 36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death." |
| The World English Bible is in the public domain. (The World English Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |