Verse 1
Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding raise her voice?
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
Verse 2
She stands on the top of high places, by the way where the paths meet.
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
Verse 3
She cries at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors.
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
Verse 4
To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of men.
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
Verse 5
O simple ones, understand wisdom; and you fools, be of an understanding heart.
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Verse 6
Hear, for I will speak of excellent things; and from the opening of my lips will come right things.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Verse 7
For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Verse 8
All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or perverse in them.
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
Verse 9
They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Verse 10
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
Verse 11
For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired cannot compare to it.
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Verse 12
I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
Verse 13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate.
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Verse 14
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
Verse 15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Verse 16
By me princes rule, and nobles, and all the judges of the earth.
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
Verse 17
I love those who love me; and those who seek me early shall find me.
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
Verse 18
Riches and honor are with me; yes, enduring riches and righteousness.
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
Verse 19
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Verse 20
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment,
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
Verse 21
That I may cause those who love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Verse 22
The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
Verse 23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth was.
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
Verse 24
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains overflowing with water.
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
Verse 25
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth:
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
Verse 26
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
Verse 27
When he prepared the heavens, I was there; when he set a boundary upon the face of the depth;
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
Verse 28
When he established the clouds above; when he strengthened the fountains of the deep,
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
Verse 29
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not go beyond his command; when he appointed the foundations of the earth,
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
Verse 30
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him,
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
Verse 31
Rejoicing in the inhabitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
Verse 32
Now therefore listen to me, O children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Verse 33
Hear instruction, and be wise, and do not refuse it.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Verse 34
Blessed is the one who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Verse 35
For whoever finds me finds life and will obtain favor from the LORD.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
Verse 36
But whoever sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.