Proverbs 8 - New International Version (NIV)

Wisdom’s Call

8 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 mankind.
5 You who are simple,(D) gain prudence;(E)
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,(F)
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,(G)
11 for wisdom is more precious(H) than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.(I)

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.(J)
13 To fear the Lord(K) is to hate evil;(L)
I hate(M) pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.(N)
15 By me kings reign
and rulers(O) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(P)
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]
17 I love those who love me,(Q)
and those who seek me find me.(R)
18 With me are riches and honor,(S)
enduring wealth and prosperity.(T)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;(U)
what I yield surpasses choice silver.(V)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,(W)
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.(X)

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;(Y)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,(Z)
before the hills, I was given birth,(AA)
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.(AB)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,(AC)
when he marked out the horizon(AD) on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above(AE)
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,(AF)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary(AG)
so the waters would not overstep his command,(AH)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.(AI)
30 Then I was constantly[e] at his side.(AJ)
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.(AK)

32 “Now then, my children, listen(AL) to me;
blessed are(AM) those who keep my ways.(AN)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(AO) to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(AP) find life(AQ)
and receive favor from the Lord.(AR)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(AS)
all who hate me love death.”(AT)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
  2. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
  3. Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
  4. Proverbs 8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work
  5. Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child

Cross references

  1. Proverbs 8:1 : S Job 28:12
  2. Proverbs 8:3 : Pr 7:6-13
  3. Proverbs 8:4 : Isa 42:2
  4. Proverbs 8:5 : S Pr 1:22
  5. Proverbs 8:5 : Pr 1:4
  6. Proverbs 8:7 : Jn 8:14
  7. Proverbs 8:10 : S Job 28:17; S Ps 19:10
  8. Proverbs 8:11 : ver 19; S Job 28:17-19
  9. Proverbs 8:11 : Pr 3:13-15
  10. Proverbs 8:12 : Pr 1:4
  11. Proverbs 8:13 : S Ge 22:12
  12. Proverbs 8:13 : S Ex 20:20; S Job 28:28
  13. Proverbs 8:13 : Jer 44:4
  14. Proverbs 8:14 : S Job 9:4; Pr 21:22; Ecc 7:19
  15. Proverbs 8:15 : S Ps 2:10
  16. Proverbs 8:16 : S 2Ch 1:10; Pr 29:4
  17. Proverbs 8:17 : S 1Sa 2:30; Jn 14:21-24
  18. Proverbs 8:17 : S 1Ch 16:11; S Pr 1:28; 3:13-18; Mt 7:7-11
  19. Proverbs 8:18 : S 1Ki 3:13
  20. Proverbs 8:18 : S Dt 8:18
  21. Proverbs 8:19 : S Job 28:17-19
  22. Proverbs 8:19 : S Pr 3:13-14
  23. Proverbs 8:20 : S Ps 5:8
  24. Proverbs 8:21 : Pr 15:6; 24:4
  25. Proverbs 8:24 : S Ge 7:11
  26. Proverbs 8:25 : S Job 38:6
  27. Proverbs 8:25 : S Job 15:7
  28. Proverbs 8:26 : S Ps 90:2
  29. Proverbs 8:27 : S Job 26:7
  30. Proverbs 8:27 : S Job 22:14
  31. Proverbs 8:28 : S Job 36:29
  32. Proverbs 8:28 : S Ge 1:7; S Job 9:8; S 26:10
  33. Proverbs 8:29 : S Ge 1:9; S Ps 16:6
  34. Proverbs 8:29 : S Job 38:8
  35. Proverbs 8:29 : S 1Sa 2:8; S Job 38:5
  36. Proverbs 8:30 : Pr 3:19-20; Rev 3:14
  37. Proverbs 8:31 : S Job 28:25-27; 38:4-38; Ps 104:1-30; Pr 30:4; Jn 1:1-4; Col 1:15-20
  38. Proverbs 8:32 : S Pr 7:24
  39. Proverbs 8:32 : Lk 11:28
  40. Proverbs 8:32 : S 2Sa 22:22; S Ps 18:21
  41. Proverbs 8:34 : 1Ki 10:8
  42. Proverbs 8:35 : Pr 3:13-18
  43. Proverbs 8:35 : Pr 9:6; Jn 5:39-40
  44. Proverbs 8:35 : S Job 33:26
  45. Proverbs 8:36 : Pr 15:32; Isa 3:9; Jer 40:2
  46. Proverbs 8:36 : S Job 28:22

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