Proverbs Chapter 8
King James Version (KJV)
Other Translations
asv (asv) - eBible.org engASV USFM
1
Love her, and she will keep thee.
darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext
1
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding give forth her voice?
2
On the top of high places by the way, at the cross-paths she taketh her stand.
3
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud.
4
Unto you, men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of man:
5
O ye simple, understand prudence; and ye foolish, understand sense.
6
Hear, for I will speak excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7
For my palate shall meditate truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing tortuous or perverse in them.
9
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold:
11
for wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not equal to it.
12
I wisdom dwell [with] prudence, and find the knowledge [which cometh] of reflection.
13
The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate.
14
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am intelligence; I have strength.
15
By me kings reign, and rulers make just decrees;
16
by me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.
17
I love those that love me; and they that seek me early shall find me.
18
Riches and honour are with me; durable wealth and righteousness.
19
My fruit is better than fine gold, yea, than pure gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20
I walk in the path of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21
that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries.
22
Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23
I was set up from eternity, from the beginning, before the earth was.
24
When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains abounding with water.
25
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth;
26
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning of the dust of the world.
27
When he prepared the heavens I was there; when he ordained the circle upon the face of the deep;
28
when he established the skies above, when the fountains of the deep became strong;
29
when he imposed on the sea his decree that the waters should not pass his commandment, when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30
then I was by him [his] nursling, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
31
rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, and my delights [were] with the sons of men.
32
And now, sons, hearken unto me, and blessed are they that keep my ways:
33
hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not.
34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of Jehovah;
36
but he that sinneth against me doeth violence to his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM
1
Thou shalt proclaim wisdom, that understanding may be obedient to thee.
2
For she is on lofty eminences, and stands in the midst of the ways.
3
For she sits by the gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, [saying],
4
You, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men.
5
O ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge.
6
Hearken to me; for I will speak solemn [truths]; and will produce right [sayings] from my lips.
7
For my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me.
8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse.
9
They are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge.
10
Receive instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than tried gold.
11
For wisdom is better than precious stones; and no valuable substance is of equal worth with it.
12
I wisdom have dwelt [with] counsel and knowledge, and I have called upon understanding.
13
The fear of the Lord hates unrighteousness, and insolence, and pride, and the ways of wicked men; and I hate the perverse ways of bad men.
14
Counsel and safety are mine: prudence is mine, and strength is mine.
15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16
By me nobles become great, and monarchs by me rule over the earth.
17
I love those that love me; and they that seek me shall find [me].
18
Wealth and glory belong to me; yea, abundant possessions and righteousness.
19
[It is] better to have my fruit than [to have] gold and precious stones; and my produce is better than choice silver.
20
I walk in ways of righteousness, and [am] conversant with the paths of judgment;
21
that I may divide substance to them that love me, and may fill their treasures with good things.
22
The Lord made me the beginning of his ways for his works.
23
He established me before time [was] in the beginning, before he made the earth:
24
even before he made the depths; before the fountains of water came forth:
25
before the mountains were settled, and before all hills, he begets me.
26
The Lord made countries and uninhabited [tracts], and the highest inhabited parts of the world.
27
When he prepared the heaven, I was present with him; and when he prepared his throne upon the winds:
28
and when he strengthened the clouds above; and when he secured the fountains of the earth:
29
and when he strengthened the foundations of the earth:
30
I was by him, suiting [myself to him], I was that wherein he took delight; and daily I rejoiced in his presence continually.
31
For he rejoiced when he had completed the world, and rejoiced among the children of men.
32
Now then, [my] son, hear me: blessed is the man who shall hearken to me, and the mortal who shall keep my ways;
34
watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my entrances.
35
For my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and [in them] is prepared favour from the Lord.
36
But they that sin against me act wickedly against their own souls: and they that hate me love death.
vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)
1
Numquid non sapientia clamitat, et prudentia dat vocem suam?
2
In summis, excelsisque verticibus supra viam, in mediis semitis stans,
3
iuxta portas civitatis in ipsis foribus loquitur, dicens:
4
O viri, ad vos clamito, et vox mea ad filios hominum.
5
Intelligite parvuli astutiam, et insipientes animadvertite.
6
Audite, quoniam de rebus magnis locutura sum: et aperientur labia mea, ut recta prædicent.
7
Veritatem meditabitur guttur meum, et labia mea detestabuntur impium.
8
Iusti sunt omnes sermones mei, non est in eis pravum quid, neque perversum.
9
recti sunt intelligentibus, et æqui invenientibus scientiam.
10
Accipite disciplinam meam, et non pecuniam: doctrinam magis, quam aurum eligite.
11
Melior est enim sapientia cunctis pretiosissimis: et omne desiderabile ei non potest comparari.
12
Ego sapientia habito in consilio, et eruditis intersum cogitationibus.
13
Timor Domini odit malum: arrogantiam, et superbiam, et viam pravam, et os bilingue detestor.
14
Meum est consilium, et æquitas, mea est prudentia, mea est fortitudo.
15
Per me reges regnant, et legum conditores iusta decernunt:
16
Per me principes imperant, et potentes decernunt iustitiam.
17
Ego diligentes me diligo: et qui mane vigilant ad me, invenient me.
18
Mecum sunt divitiæ, et gloria, opes superbæ, et iustitia.
19
Melior est enim fructus meus auro, et lapide pretioso, et genimina me argento electo.
20
In viis iustitiæ ambulo, in medio semitarum iudicii,
21
ut ditem diligentes me, et thesauros eorum repleam.
22
Dominus possedit me in initio viarum suarum, antequam quidquam faceret a principio.
23
Ab æterno ordinata sum, et ex antiquis antequam terra fieret.
24
Nondum erant abyssi, et ego iam concepta eram: necdum fontes aquarum eruperant:
25
necdum montes gravi mole constiterant: ante colles ego parturiebar:
26
adhuc terram non fecerat, et flumina, et cardines orbis terræ.
27
Quando præparabat cælos, aderam: quando certa lege, et gyro vallabat abyssos:
28
quando æthera firmabat sursum, et librabat fontes aquarum:
29
quando circumdabat mari terminum suum, et legem ponebat aquis, ne transirent fines suos: quando appendebat fundamenta terræ:
30
Cum eo eram cuncta componens: et delectabar per singulos dies, ludens coram eo omni tempore;
31
ludens in orbe terrarum: et deliciæ meæ esse, cum filiis hominum.
32
Nunc ergo filii audite me: Beati, qui custodiunt vias meas.
33
Audite disciplinam, et estote sapientes, et nolite abiicere eam.
34
Beatus homo qui audit me, et qui vigilat ad fores meas quotidie, et observat ad postes ostii mei.
35
Qui me invenerit, inveniet vitam, et hauriet salutem a Domino:
36
qui autem in me peccaverit, lædet animam suam. Omnes, qui me oderunt, diligunt mortem.
web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV
1
Doesn’t wisdom cry out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?
2
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
3
Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entry doors, she cries aloud:
4
“I call to you men! I send my voice to the sons of mankind.
5
You simple, understand prudence! You fools, be of an understanding heart!
6
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
7
For my mouth speaks truth. Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
9
They are all plain to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.
10
Receive my instruction rather than 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.
12
“I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
14
Counsel and sound knowledge are mine. I have understanding and power.
15
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16
By me princes rule, nobles, and all the righteous rulers of the earth.
17
I love those who love me. Those who seek me diligently will find me.
18
With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
19
My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, my yield than choice silver.
20
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the middle of the paths of justice,
21
that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.
22
“The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his work, before his deeds of old.
23
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, before the earth existed.
24
When there were no depths, I was born, when there were no springs abounding with water.
25
Before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was born;
26
while as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the beginning 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,
28
when he established the clouds above, when the springs of the deep became strong,
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,
30
then I was the craftsman by his side. I was a delight day by day, always rejoicing before him,
31
rejoicing in his whole world. My delight was with the sons of men.
32
“Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33
Hear instruction, and be wise. Don’t refuse it.
34
Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts.
35
For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.
36
But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.”
ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8
1
Doth not wisdom call? And understanding give forth her voice?
2
At the head of high places by the way, Between the paths she hath stood,
3
At the side of the gates, at the mouth of the city, The entrance of the openings, she crieth aloud,
4
`Unto you, O men, I call, And my voice <FI>is<Fi> unto the sons of men.
5
Understand, ye simple ones, prudence, And ye fools, understand the heart,
6
Hearken, for noble things I speak, And the opening of my lips <FI>is<Fi> uprightness.
7
For truth doth my mouth utter, And an abomination to my lips <FI>is<Fi> wickedness.
8
In righteousness <FI>are<Fi> all the sayings of my mouth, Nothing in them is froward and perverse.
9
All of them <FI>are<Fi> plain to the intelligent, And upright to those finding knowledge.
10
Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold.
11
For better <FI>is<Fi> wisdom than rubies, Yea, all delights are not comparable with it.
12
I, wisdom, have dwelt with prudence, And a knowledge of devices I find out.
13
The fear of Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> to hate evil; Pride, and arrogance, and an evil way, And a froward mouth, I have hated.
14
Mine <FI>is<Fi> counsel and substance, I <FI>am<Fi> understanding, I have might.
15
By me kings reign, and princes decree righteousness,
16
By me do chiefs rule, and nobles, All judges of the earth.
17
I love those loving me, And those seeking me earnestly do find me.
18
Wealth and honour <FI>are<Fi> with me, Lasting substance and righteousness.
19
Better <FI>is<Fi> my fruit than gold, even fine gold, And mine increase than choice silver.
20
In a path of righteousness I cause to walk, In midst of paths of judgment,
21
To cause my lovers to inherit substance, Yea, their treasures I fill.
22
Jehovah possessed me--the beginning of His way, Before His works since then.
23
From the age I was anointed, from the first, From former states of the earth.
24
In there being no depths, I was brought forth, In there being no fountains heavy <FI>with<Fi> waters,
25
Before mountains were sunk, Before heights, I was brought forth.
26
While He had not made the earth, and out-places, And the top of the dusts of the world.
27
In His preparing the heavens I <FI>am<Fi> there, In His decreeing a circle on the face of the deep,
28
In His strengthening clouds above, In His making strong fountains of the deep,
29
In His setting for the sea its limit, And the waters transgress not His command, In His decreeing the foundations of earth,
30
Then I am near Him, a workman, And I am a delight--day by day. Rejoicing before Him at all times,
31
Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, And my delights <FI>are<Fi> with the sons of men.
32
And now, ye sons, hearken to me, Yea, happy are they who keep my ways.
33
Hear instruction, and be wise, and slight not.
34
O the happiness of the man hearkening to me, To watch at my doors day by day, To watch at the door-posts of my entrance.
35
For whoso is finding me, hath found life, And bringeth out good-will from Jehovah.
36
And whoso is missing me, is wronging his soul, All hating me have loved death!
Explanations by Age Level
Explain Like I'm 5
A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!
Explain Like I'm 10
Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.
Explain Like I'm 15
Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).