Proverbs 8 - English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)

The Blessings of Wisdom

8 Does not (A)wisdom call?
Does not (B)understanding raise her voice?
2 On (C)the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 beside (D)the gates in front of (E)the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O (F)men, I call,
and my cry is to (G)the children of man.
5 O (H)simple ones, learn (I)prudence;
O (J)fools, learn sense.
6 Hear, for I will speak (K)noble things,
and from my lips will come (L)what is right,
7 for my (M)mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing (N)twisted or crooked in them.
9 They are all (O)straight to him who understands,
and right to those who find knowledge.
10 (P)Take my instruction instead of silver,
and knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 (Q)for wisdom is better than jewels,
and (R)all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
and I find knowledge and (S)discretion.
13 (T)The fear of the Lord is (U)hatred of evil.
(V)Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
and (W)perverted speech I hate.
14 I have (X)counsel and (Y)sound wisdom;
I have insight; (Z)I have strength.
15 By me (AA)kings reign,
and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule,
and nobles, all who govern justly.[a]
17 (AB)I love those who love me,
and (AC)those who seek me diligently find me.
18 (AD)Riches and honour are with me,
(AE)enduring wealth and (AF)righteousness.
19 My fruit is (AG)better than (AH)gold, even fine gold,
and my yield than (AI)choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
in the paths of justice,
21 granting an inheritance to those who love me,
and filling their treasuries.
22 (AJ)“The Lord (AK)possessed[b] me at the beginning of his work,[c]
the first of his acts (AL)of old.
23 Ages ago I was (AM)set up,
at the first, (AN)before the beginning of the earth.
24 When there were no (AO)depths I was (AP)brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains (AQ)had been shaped,
(AR)before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 before he had made the earth with its fields,
or the first of the dust of the world.
27 When he (AS)established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew (AT)a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he (AU)made firm the skies above,
when he established[d] the fountains of the deep,
29 when he (AV)assigned to the sea its (AW)limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out (AX)the foundations of the earth,
30 then (AY)I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his[e] (AZ)delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 (BA)rejoicing in his (BB)inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.
32 “And now, (BC)O sons, listen to me:
(BD)blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 (BE)Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34 (BF)Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35 For (BG)whoever finds me (BH)finds life
and (BI)obtains favour from the Lord,
36 but he who fails to find me (BJ)injures himself;
all who (BK)hate me (BL)love death.”

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint govern the earth
  2. Proverbs 8:22 Or fathered; Septuagint created
  3. Proverbs 8:22 Hebrew way
  4. Proverbs 8:28 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  5. Proverbs 8:30 Or daily filled with

Cross references

  1. Proverbs 8:1 : See ch. 1:20
  2. Proverbs 8:1 : Job 28:12
  3. Proverbs 8:2 : ch. 9:3, 14
  4. Proverbs 8:3 : ch. 1:21
  5. Proverbs 8:3 : Job 29:7
  6. Proverbs 8:4 : [Ps. 49:1, 2]
  7. Proverbs 8:4 : [Ps. 49:1, 2]
  8. Proverbs 8:5 : See ch. 1:4
  9. Proverbs 8:5 : ver. 12
  10. Proverbs 8:5 : [ch. 1:22]
  11. Proverbs 8:6 : [ch. 22:20]
  12. Proverbs 8:6 : ch. 23:16
  13. Proverbs 8:7 : Ps. 37:30
  14. Proverbs 8:8 : Deut. 32:5
  15. Proverbs 8:9 : [ch. 14:6; 1 Cor. 2:10]
  16. Proverbs 8:10 : ver. 19; ch. 3:14; Ps. 119:72, 127
  17. Proverbs 8:11 : [ch. 16:16]; See Job 28:12-19
  18. Proverbs 8:11 : ch. 3:15
  19. Proverbs 8:12 : ch. 1:4
  20. Proverbs 8:13 : [ch. 16:6]
  21. Proverbs 8:13 : See Ps. 97:10
  22. Proverbs 8:13 : [ch. 6:17; 16:5]
  23. Proverbs 8:13 : ch. 2:12; 4:24
  24. Proverbs 8:14 : Isa. 11:2; [Isa. 9:6]
  25. Proverbs 8:14 : [ch. 2:7]
  26. Proverbs 8:14 : Eccles. 7:19; [Ps. 89:19]
  27. Proverbs 8:15 : [Dan. 2:21; Rom. 13:1; Rev. 19:16]
  28. Proverbs 8:17 : Ps. 91:14; John 14:21; [1 Sam. 2:30]
  29. Proverbs 8:17 : James 1:5; [ch. 1:28]
  30. Proverbs 8:18 : ch. 3:16
  31. Proverbs 8:18 : Ps. 112:3; [Matt. 6:33; Luke 16:11; Eph. 3:8]
  32. Proverbs 8:18 : Ps. 112:3; [Matt. 6:33; Luke 16:11; Eph. 3:8]
  33. Proverbs 8:19 : ch. 3:14
  34. Proverbs 8:19 : ver. 10
  35. Proverbs 8:19 : ch. 10:20
  36. Proverbs 8:22 : See Job 28:25-28
  37. Proverbs 8:22 : Gen. 14:19, 22; [Ps. 104:24; 136:5]
  38. Proverbs 8:22 : Ps. 93:2
  39. Proverbs 8:23 : Ps. 2:6
  40. Proverbs 8:23 : [John 17:5]
  41. Proverbs 8:24 : ver. 27, 28; ch. 3:20; Gen. 1:2
  42. Proverbs 8:24 : Job 15:7; Ps. 51:5
  43. Proverbs 8:25 : Job 38:6 (Heb.)
  44. Proverbs 8:25 : Ps. 90:2
  45. Proverbs 8:27 : ch. 3:19
  46. Proverbs 8:27 : Job 26:10
  47. Proverbs 8:28 : Gen. 1:6
  48. Proverbs 8:29 : Gen. 1:9, 10
  49. Proverbs 8:29 : See Job 26:10
  50. Proverbs 8:29 : See Ps. 104:5
  51. Proverbs 8:30 : Zech. 13:7; [John 1:1, 2]
  52. Proverbs 8:30 : Ps. 16:3; [Matt. 3:17]
  53. Proverbs 8:31 : [Gen. 1:31; Ps. 104:31]
  54. Proverbs 8:31 : Isa. 45:18
  55. Proverbs 8:32 : ch. 5:7; 7:24; [1 John 3:1]
  56. Proverbs 8:32 : Ps. 119:1, 2; 128:1, 2; [Luke 11:28]
  57. Proverbs 8:33 : See ch. 4:1
  58. Proverbs 8:34 : [ch. 3:13]
  59. Proverbs 8:35 : ch. 3:18; See ch. 4:22
  60. Proverbs 8:35 : John 1:4; 17:3
  61. Proverbs 8:35 : ch. 12:2; 18:22
  62. Proverbs 8:36 : [ch. 15:32; 20:2; 29:24]
  63. Proverbs 8:36 : ch. 12:1
  64. Proverbs 8:36 : ch. 21:6

You Might Also Like:

Proverbs 8 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

8 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 [is] unto the sons...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

8 Whether wisdom crieth not oft; and prudence giveth her voice? (Whether not wisdom crieth often, and understanding giveth forth her voice?) 2 In most sovereign and high tops, above the way, in the midst of paths, (On hilltops, on the way, in the midst of paths,) 3 and it standeth beside the gate(s)...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - World English Bible (WEB)

8 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, unders...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - The Voice (VOICE)

8 Isn’t Lady Wisdom calling? Listen; don’t you hear the voice of understanding crying out?2 She’s taken her stand at the highest place in the city, at the crossroads where everyone can see her.3 There, and at the gates, at the entrance to the city, right in front of the city doors she cries out: 4 L...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Wisdom Appeals at the Gates8 Does not wisdom cry out,and understanding lift her voice?2 On the topmost heights along the way,at the crossroads, she takes her stand.3 Beside the gates leading into the city,at the entrances, she cries aloud:4 “To you, O men, I call out!My cry is to all mankind!5 O naï...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Gifts of Wisdom8 Does not wisdom call,does not understanding raise her voice?2 On the heights beside the way, in the paths she takes her stand;3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:4 “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the sons of men.5 O si...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Gifts of Wisdom8 Does not wisdom call, Does not understanding raise her voice?2 On the heights beside the way, in the paths she takes her stand;3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:4 “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the sons of men.5 O s...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Gifts of Wisdom8 Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice?2 On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out:4 ‘To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that l...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Gifts of Wisdom8 Does not wisdom call and understanding raise her voice?(A)2 On the heights, beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;3 beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries out:(B)4 “To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all who live.5...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Wisdom Calls for a Hearing8 Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!2 On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.3 By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud,4 “I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice ...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - New Life Version (NLV)

Praising Wisdom8 Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 She takes her stand on the top of the hill beside the way, where the paths meet. 3 Beside the gates in front of the town, at the open doors, she cries out, 4 “I call to you, O men. My voice is to the sons of men. 5 ...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Excellence of Wisdom8 Does not (A)wisdom cry out,And understanding lift up her voice?2 She takes her stand on the top of the [a]high hill,Beside the way, where the paths meet.3 She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,At the entrance of the doors:4 “To you, O men, I call,And my voice...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Wisdom’s call8 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?2 At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:4 ‘To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all humanity....
Read More

Proverbs 8 - New International Version (NIV)

Wisdom’s Call8 Does not wisdom call out?(A) Does not understanding raise her voice?2 At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:(B)4 “To you, O people, I call out;(C) I raise my voice to all ...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Wisdom Calls Out8 Doesn’t wisdom call out? Doesn’t understanding raise her voice?2 At the highest point along the way, she takes her place where the paths meet.3 Beside the gate leading into the city, she cries out at the entrance. She says,4 “People, I call out to you. I raise my voice to all human...
Read More

Proverbs 8 - New English Translation (NET)

The Appeal of Wisdom[a]8 Does not wisdom call out?Does not understanding raise her voice?2 At the top[b] of the prominent places along the way,at the intersection[c] of the paths she has taken her stand;3 beside the gates opening into[d] the city,at the entrance of the doorways she cries out:[e]4 “T...
Read More