The Excellence of Wisdom 1 WBS Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? BSB BSB: Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice?
2 WBS She standeth on the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. BSB BSB: On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand.
3 WBS She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors. BSB BSB: Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out:
4 WBS To you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. BSB BSB: “To you, O men, I call out, and my cry is to the sons of men.
5 WBS O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. BSB BSB: O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.
6 WBS Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. BSB BSB: Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
7 WBS For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. BSB BSB: For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
8 WBS All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. BSB BSB: All the words of my mouth are righteous; none are crooked or perverse.
9 WBS They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. BSB BSB: They are all plain to the discerning, and upright to those who find knowledge.
10 WBS Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. BSB BSB: Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 WBS For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. BSB BSB: For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.
12 WBS I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of ingenious inventions. BSB BSB: I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 WBS The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. BSB BSB: To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
14 WBS Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. BSB BSB: Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.
15 WBS By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. BSB BSB: By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws;
16 WBS By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. BSB BSB: By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.
17 WBS I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. BSB BSB: I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
18 WBS Riches and honor are with me; durable riches and righteousness. BSB BSB: With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
19 WBS My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. BSB BSB: My fruit is better than gold, pure gold, and my harvest surpasses choice silver.
20 WBS I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment. BSB BSB: I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
21 WBS That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures. BSB BSB: bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.
23 WBS I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. BSB BSB: From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began.
24 WBS When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. BSB BSB: When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water.
25 WBS Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth. BSB BSB: Before the mountains were settled, before the hills, I was brought forth,
26 WBS While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. BSB BSB: before He made the land or fields, or any of the dust of the earth.
27 WBS When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: BSB BSB: I was there when He established the heavens, when He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep,
28 WBS When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: BSB BSB: when He established the clouds above, when the fountains of the deep gushed forth,
29 WBS When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: BSB BSB: when He set a boundary for the sea, so that the waters would not surpass His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth.
30 WBS Then I was by him, as one brought up with him : and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; BSB BSB: Then I was a skilled craftsman at His side, and His delight day by day, rejoicing always in His presence.
31 WBS Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. BSB BSB: I was rejoicing in His whole world, delighting together in the sons of men.
32 WBS Now therefore hearken to me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. BSB BSB: Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 WBS Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. BSB BSB: Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
34 WBS Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. BSB BSB: Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.
35 WBS For whoever findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor from the LORD. BSB BSB: For whoever finds me finds life and obtains the favor of the LORD.
36 WBS But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. BSB BSB: But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.