Proverbs 8

Wisdom calls aloud at the gates of the city, declaring that she offers truth, counsel, and strength, and that kings reign and princes decree justice by her. She reveals that she was with God before creation, brought forth before the mountains, rejoicing always before Him — and those who find her find life.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?	Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice?
2	She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.	She stands on the top of high places, by the way, where the paths meet.
3	She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.	She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors:
4	Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.	"To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of man.
5	O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.	O you simple ones, understand wisdom; and you fools, be of an understanding heart.
6	Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.	Hear, for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips will be right things.
7	For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.	For my mouth will speak truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8	All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.	All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing twisted or perverse in them.
9	They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.	They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
10	Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.	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 to be compared to it.	For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared to her.
12	I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.	I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of clever inventions.
13	The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.	The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth, I hate.
14	Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.	Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding; I have strength.
15	By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.	By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
16	By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.	By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17	I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.	I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.
18	Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.	Riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness.
19	My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.	My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my revenue better than choice silver.
20	I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:	I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice,
21	That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.	so that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, and I will fill their treasures.
22	The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.	The LORD possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old.
23	I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.	I was set up from everlasting, 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.	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:	Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26	While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.	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 set a compass upon the face of the depth:	When He prepared the heavens, I was there; when He set a circle on the face of the deep,
28	When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:	when He established the clouds above, when He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29	When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:	when He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not pass His command, when He appointed the foundations of the earth —
30	Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;	then I was beside Him, as one brought up with Him; 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.	rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth, and my delights were with the sons of men.
32	Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.	Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33	Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.	Hear instruction and be wise; do not refuse it.
34	Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.	Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35	For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.	For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from the LORD.
36	But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.	But He who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death."