Proverbs 8 - International Children’s Bible (ICB)

Listen to Wisdom

8 Like a person, wisdom calls out to you.
Understanding raises her voice.
2 On the hilltops along the road
and at the crossroads, she stands calling.
3 She stands beside the city gates.
At the entrances into the city, she calls out:
4 “People, I’m calling out to you.
I am shouting to all people.
5 You who do not know better, get the ability to think.
You who are foolish, get understanding.
6 Listen. I have important things to say.
What I tell you is right.
7 What I say is true.
I hate it when people speak evil.
8 Everything I say is honest.
Nothing I say is crooked or false.
9 People with good sense know that what I say is true.
People with knowledge know that my words are right.
10 Choose my teachings instead of silver.
Choose knowledge rather than the finest gold.
11 Wisdom is more precious than rubies.
Nothing you want is equal to it.

12 “I am wisdom, and I have the ability to think.
I also have knowledge and good sense.
13 If you respect the Lord, you also will hate evil.
It is wise to hate pride and bragging,
evil ways and lies.
14 I have good sense and advice.
I have understanding and power.
15 Kings use me to govern.
And rulers use me to make fair laws.
16 Princes use me to lead.
So do important men and all good judges.
17 I love those who love me.
Those who want me find me.
18 Riches and honor are mine.
So are wealth and lasting success.
19 What I give is better than the finest gold.
What I give is better than pure silver.
20 I do what is right.
I do what is fair.
21 I give wealth to those who love me.
I fill them with treasures.

22 “I, wisdom, was with God when he began his work.
This was before he made anything else long ago.
23 I was appointed in the very beginning,
even before the world began.
24 I began before there were oceans.
There were no springs overflowing with water.
25 I began before the hills were there.
The mountains had not even been put in place.
26 God still had not made the earth or fields.
He had not even made the first dust of the earth.
27 I was there when God put the skies in place,
when he stretched the horizon over the oceans.
28 I was there when he made the clouds above.
I was there when he put the fountains in the oceans.
29 I was there when he ordered the sea
not to go beyond the borders he had set for it.
I was there when he laid the earth’s foundation.
30 I was like a child by his side.
I was happy every day
and enjoyed being in his presence.
31 I enjoyed the whole world.
And I was happy with all its people.

32 “Now, my children, listen to me.
Those who follow my ways are happy.
33 Listen to my teaching, and you will be wise.
Do not ignore it.
34 Those who listen to me are happy.
They stand watching at my door every day.
They are at my open doorway, wanting to be with me.
35 Whoever finds me finds life.
And the Lord will be pleased with him.
36 Whoever does not find me hurts himself.
Those who hate me love death.”

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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...
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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)...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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...
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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....
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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