Proverbs 8

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?	1 Does not Wisdom call, and Understanding raise her voice?
2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.	2 On the top of the heights along the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.	3 By the gates at the approaches of the city, in the entryways she cries aloud:
4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.	4 "To you, O men, I call; my appeal is to the children of men.
5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.	5 You simple ones, gain resource, you fools, gain sense.
6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.	6 "Give heed! for noble things I speak; honesty opens my lips.
7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.	7 Yes, the truth my mouth recounts, but the wickedness my lips abhor.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.	8 Sincere are all the words of my mouth, no one of them is wily or crooked;
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.	9 All of them are plain to the man of intelligence, and right to those who attain knowledge.
10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.	10 Receive my instruction in preference to 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.	11 (For Wisdom is better than corals, and no choice possessions can compare with her.)
12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.	12 "I, Wisdom, dwell with experience, and judicious knowledge I attain.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.	13 (The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;) Pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.	14 Mine are counsel and advice; Mine is strength; I am understanding.
15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.	15 By me kings reign, and lawgivers establish justice;
16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.	16 By me princes govern, and nobles; all the rulers of earth.
17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.	17 "Those who love me I also love, and those who seek me find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.	18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.	19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than pure gold, and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:	20 On the way of duty I walk, along the paths of justice,
21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.	21 Granting wealth to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.
22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.	22 "The LORD begot me, the first-born of his ways, the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago;
23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.	23 From of old I was poured forth, at the first, before the earth.
24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.	24 When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains or springs of water;
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:	25 Before the mountains were settled into place, 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.	26 While as yet the earth and the fields were not made, nor the first clods of the world.
27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:	27 "When he established the heavens I was there, when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;
28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:	28 When he made firm the skies above, when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth;
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:	29 When he set for the sea its limit, so that the waters should not transgress his command;
30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;	30 Then was I beside him as his craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, Playing before him all the while,
31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.	31 playing on the surface of his earth; and I found delight in the sons of men.
32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.	32 "So now, O children, listen to me;
33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.	33 instruction and wisdom do not reject! Happy the man who obeys me, and happy those who keep my ways,
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.	34 Happy the man watching daily at my gates, waiting at my doorposts;
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.	35 For he who finds me finds life, and wins favor from the LORD;
36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.	36 But he who misses me harms himself; all who hate me love death."