Proverbs 8 - New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Commendation of Wisdom

8 Does not (A)wisdom call,
And understanding [a]raise her voice?
2 On top of (B)the heights beside the way,
Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 Beside the (C)gates, at the opening to the city,
At the entrance of the doors, she cries out:
4 “To you, people, I call,
And my voice is to [b]mankind.
5 You (D)naive ones, understand prudence;
And, you (E)fools, understand [c]wisdom!
6 Listen, for I will speak (F)noble things;
And the opening of my lips will reveal (G)right things.
7 For my (H)mouth will proclaim truth;
And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness;
There is nothing (I)crooked or perverted in them.
9 They are all (J)straightforward to him who understands,
And right to those who (K)find knowledge.
10 Accept my (L)instruction and not silver,
And knowledge rather than choice gold.
11 For wisdom is (M)better than [d]jewels;
And (N)all desirable things cannot compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, (O)dwell with prudence,
And I find (P)knowledge and discretion.
13 The (Q)fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
(R)Pride, arrogance, (S)the evil way,
And the (T)perverted mouth, I hate.
14 (U)Advice is mine and (V)sound wisdom;
I am understanding, (W)power is mine.
15 By me (X)kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.
17 I (Y)love those who love me;
And (Z)those who diligently seek me will find me.
18 (AA)Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring (AB)wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is (AC)better than gold, even pure gold;
And my yield better than (AD)choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 To endow those who love me with wealth,
That I may (AE)fill their treasuries.

22 “The Lord [e]created me (AF)at the beginning of His way,
Before His works [f]of old.
23 From eternity I was [g](AG)established,
From the beginning, (AH)from the earliest times of the earth.
24 When there were no (AI)ocean depths, I was born,
When there were no springs abounding with water.
25 (AJ)Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was born;
26 While He had not yet made the earth and the [h]fields,
Nor the first dust of the world.
27 When He (AK)established the heavens, I was there;
When (AL)He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He made firm the skies above,
When the springs of the deep became [i]fixed,
29 When (AM)He set a boundary for the sea
So that the water would not violate His [j]command,
When He marked out (AN)the foundations of the earth;
30 Then (AO)I was beside Him, as a master workman;
And I was His delight daily,
[k]Rejoicing always before Him,
31 [l]Rejoicing in the world, His earth,
And having (AP)my delight in the sons of mankind.

32 “Now then, sons, (AQ)listen to me,
For (AR)blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 (AS)Listen to instruction and be wise,
And do not neglect it.
34 (AT)Blessed is the person who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.
35 For (AU)one who finds me finds life,
And (AV)obtains favor from the Lord.
36 But one who [m]sins against me (AW)injures himself;
All those who (AX)hate me (AY)love death.”

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:1 Lit give
  2. Proverbs 8:4 Lit sons of mankind
  3. Proverbs 8:5 Lit heart
  4. Proverbs 8:11 Lit corals
  5. Proverbs 8:22 Or possessed
  6. Proverbs 8:22 Lit from then
  7. Proverbs 8:23 Or consecrated
  8. Proverbs 8:26 Lit outside places
  9. Proverbs 8:28 Lit strong
  10. Proverbs 8:29 Lit mouth
  11. Proverbs 8:30 Or Playing
  12. Proverbs 8:31 Or Playing
  13. Proverbs 8:36 Or misses me

Cross references

  1. Proverbs 8:1 : Prov 1:20, 21; 8:1-3; 9:3; 1 Cor 1:24
  2. Proverbs 8:2 : Prov 9:3, 14
  3. Proverbs 8:3 : Job 29:7
  4. Proverbs 8:5 : Prov 1:4
  5. Proverbs 8:5 : Prov 1:22, 32; 3:35
  6. Proverbs 8:6 : Prov 22:20
  7. Proverbs 8:6 : Prov 23:16
  8. Proverbs 8:7 : Ps 37:30; John 8:14; Rom 15:8
  9. Proverbs 8:8 : Deut 32:5; Prov 2:15; Phil 2:15
  10. Proverbs 8:9 : Prov 14:6
  11. Proverbs 8:9 : Prov 3:13
  12. Proverbs 8:10 : Prov 3:14, 15; 8:19
  13. Proverbs 8:11 : Job 28:15, 18; Ps 19:10
  14. Proverbs 8:11 : Prov 3:15
  15. Proverbs 8:12 : Prov 8:5
  16. Proverbs 8:12 : Prov 1:4
  17. Proverbs 8:13 : Prov 3:7; 16:6
  18. Proverbs 8:13 : 1 Sam 2:3; Prov 16:18; Is 13:11
  19. Proverbs 8:13 : Prov 15:9
  20. Proverbs 8:13 : Prov 6:12
  21. Proverbs 8:14 : Prov 1:25; 19:20; Is 28:29; Jer 32:19
  22. Proverbs 8:14 : Prov 2:7; 3:21; 18:1
  23. Proverbs 8:14 : Eccl 7:19; 9:16
  24. Proverbs 8:15 : 2 Chr 1:10; Prov 29:4; Dan 2:21; Matt 28:18; Rom 13:1
  25. Proverbs 8:17 : 1 Sam 2:30; Prov 4:6; John 14:21
  26. Proverbs 8:17 : Prov 2:4, 5; John 7:37; James 1:5
  27. Proverbs 8:18 : Prov 3:16
  28. Proverbs 8:18 : Ps 112:3; Matt 6:33
  29. Proverbs 8:19 : Job 28:15; Prov 3:14
  30. Proverbs 8:19 : Prov 10:20
  31. Proverbs 8:21 : Prov 24:4
  32. Proverbs 8:22 : Job 28:26-28; Ps 104:24; Prov 3:19
  33. Proverbs 8:23 : John 1:1-3
  34. Proverbs 8:23 : John 17:5
  35. Proverbs 8:24 : Gen 1:2; Ex 15:5; Job 38:16; Prov 3:20
  36. Proverbs 8:25 : Job 15:7; Ps 90:2
  37. Proverbs 8:27 : Prov 3:19
  38. Proverbs 8:27 : Job 26:10
  39. Proverbs 8:29 : Job 38:10; Ps 104:9
  40. Proverbs 8:29 : Job 38:6; Ps 104:5
  41. Proverbs 8:30 : John 1:2, 3
  42. Proverbs 8:31 : Ps 16:3; John 13:1
  43. Proverbs 8:32 : Prov 5:7; 7:24
  44. Proverbs 8:32 : Ps 119:1, 2; 128:1; Prov 29:18; Luke 11:28
  45. Proverbs 8:33 : Prov 4:1
  46. Proverbs 8:34 : Prov 3:13, 18
  47. Proverbs 8:35 : Prov 4:22; John 17:3
  48. Proverbs 8:35 : Prov 3:4; 12:2
  49. Proverbs 8:36 : Prov 1:31, 32; 15:32
  50. Proverbs 8:36 : Prov 5:12; 12:1
  51. Proverbs 8:36 : Prov 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