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Proverbs

Offers wisdom and advice on how to live a good and meaningful life.

Chapter 8

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1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

*Doesn't wisdom shout? And does understanding not speak up loudly?

2 She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

*She stands at the top of tall places, near the roads in the areas of pathways.

3 She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

*She shouts at the city gates, when people enter through the city's doors.

4 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

*I am calling to you, people; and my message is for all human beings.

5 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

*Dear simple ones, learn about wisdom; and you foolish people, have a wise and understanding heart.

6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

*Listen, because I will talk about great things, and when I speak, what comes out of my mouth will be good things.

7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

*My mouth will only say what's true, and I hate evil things.

8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

*All my words are good and fair; they're not tricky or wrong.

9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

*It's easy for those who understand to see, and it makes sense to those who learn more.

10 Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

*Follow my teachings, not just for money; learn more instead of getting lots of gold.

11 For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

*Wisdom is more valuable than precious gems, as nothing else compares to how important it is.

12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

*I live with wise thinking, and discover the understanding of clever ideas.

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

*Fearing God means disliking wrongdoing: pride, being too proud, bad choices, and a rude mouth - all these I dislike.

14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

*My advice is wise, and good sense too: I understand things; I'm strong.

15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

*By my side, kings rule and princes make fair decisions.

16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

*By me, rulers lead, important people, and all the judges on Earth.

17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

*I like people who like me, and those who look for me early will find me.

18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

*I have wealth and honor; indeed, long-lasting riches and fairness.

19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

*My fruit is worth more than pure gold; yes, even better than the best gold. And the money I make is greater than the most valuable silver.

20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

*I guide along the path of fairness, among the routes of just decisions.

21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

*So that I can make my lovers rich, and I will fill their riches.

22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

*The LORD chose me at the start of his journey, even before his earlier actions.

23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

*I existed from eternity, from the start, even before the Earth began.

24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

*When there were no deep places, I came into existence; when there were no waterspouts full of water.

25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

*Before mountains formed, when hills didn't exist yet, I already existed.

26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

*Before he formed the land, the fields, or the upper part of the world's dirt, he hadn't done that yet.

27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

*When God made the sky, I was present; when he marked the Earth's boundaries, I helped him do it.

28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

*When he set up the clouds in the sky: when he made the deep waters' sources strong:

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 told the sea what to do, not letting water go beyond his order. He set up the Earth's foundation.

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 with him, like a close friend: and I brought him joy every day, always making him happy.

31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

*Being happy in the livable part of the Earth; and my pleasures were with the people's children.

32 Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

*So listen to me, kids, because it's a blessing to follow my path.

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

*Listen to advice and be smart; don't reject it.

34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

*Blessed is the person who listens to me, keeping watch daily at my entrance, and waits by my doorposts.

35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

*Whoever finds me will find life and gain God's favor.

36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

*But whoever sins against me harms themselves; all those who hate me love the idea of dying.

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