Proverbs 8
What Happens in This Chapter
Wisdom is pictured as a woman calling out in the streets and at the city gates, speaking to everyone who passes by. She says her words are true and worth more than silver, gold, and jewels, and that kings and rulers govern well by her. She then tells how she was there before the world began, present when God made the sky, the sea, and the land, glad in his presence and glad to be with people. The chapter ends by calling listeners to keep her ways, because whoever finds her finds life.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
1Listen! Wisdom is calling out. Understanding is lifting up her voice.
In this chapter, wisdom is spoken about as if she were a woman standing in the street and calling out to people.
2She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
2She stands on the hilltops, beside the road. She stands where the paths cross.
3She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
3She calls out beside the city gates. She calls at the doors where people come in.
4Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
4"I am calling to you, people. I am calling to everyone alive."
5O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
5"You who know very little, learn to be wise. You who act foolish, learn to understand."
6Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
6"Listen to me. I will tell you fine and good things. What I say is right."
7For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
7"My mouth tells the truth. My lips hate anything evil."
8All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
8"Every word I say is fair. Nothing I say is crooked or twisted."
9They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
9"My words are clear to anyone who thinks. They are right to anyone who learns."
10Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
10"Take my teaching instead of silver. Take what I know instead of the best gold."
11For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
11"Wisdom is worth more than jewels. Nothing you could want compares with her."
12I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
12"I, wisdom, live with good sense. I know how to make clever, careful plans."
The old wording says "witty inventions." That does not mean jokes. It means clever, careful plans and good judgment.
13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
13"To fear the LORD means to honor him and to hate evil. I hate pride, bragging, bad living, and twisted talk."
14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
14"Good advice belongs to me. So does sound thinking. I have understanding, and I have strength."
15By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
15"Kings rule because of me. Leaders make fair laws because of me."
16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
16"Princes lead because of me. So do all the important people who judge fairly."
17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
17"I love those who love me. Those who look for me early will find me."
18Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
18"Riches and honor are with me. So is lasting wealth and doing what is right."
19My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
19"What I give is better than gold, even the purest gold. It beats the best silver."
20I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
20"I walk on the path that is right. I walk where things are done fairly."
21That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
21"So I give good things to those who love me. I fill their storerooms full."
22The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
22"The LORD had me at the very start of his work. I came before all he made long ago."
23I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
23"I was set in place long, long ago. I was there before the earth began."
24When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
24"I was born before the deep seas were there. No springs were pouring out water yet."
25Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
25"I was born before the mountains were set in place. I came before the hills."
26While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
26"That was before God made the land or the fields. He had not made even the first dust."
27When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
27"I was there when he made the heavens. He drew a circle over the face of the deep water."
28When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
28"I was there when he set the clouds above. He made the deep springs gush out water."
29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
29"He told the sea how far it could come, and the water obeyed. He laid the base of the earth."
30Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
30"Then I was right beside him, working with skill. Day after day I made him glad. I was always happy near him."
The old wording says "as one brought up with him." The Hebrew word can mean a skilled worker or a child raised close beside someone.
31Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
31"I was happy in the whole world he made. I was glad to be with people."
32Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
32"So listen to me now, children. Happy are those who stay on my paths."
33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
33"Listen to teaching and become wise. Do not turn it away."
34Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
34"Happy is the person who listens to me. He waits at my doors every day."
35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
35"Whoever finds me finds life. The LORD will be pleased with him."
36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
36"But whoever does wrong against me only hurts himself. Everyone who hates me loves death."
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