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Proverbs 8-11
Darby Translation
Proverbs 8-11
Darby Translation
8 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding give forth her voice?
2 On the top of high places by the way, at the cross-paths she taketh her stand.
3 Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud.
4 Unto you, men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of man:
5 O ye simple, understand prudence; and ye foolish, understand sense.
6 Hear, for I will speak excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7 For my palate shall meditate truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing tortuous or perverse in them.
9 They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
10 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 equal to it.
12 I wisdom dwell [with] prudence, and find the knowledge [which cometh] of reflection.
13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am intelligence; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign, and rulers make just decrees;
16 by me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth.
17 I love those that love me; and they that seek me early shall find me.
18 Riches and honour are with me; durable wealth and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold, yea, than pure gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
20 I walk in the path of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
21 that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasuries.
22 Jehovah possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
23 I was set up from eternity, 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.
25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth;
26 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 ordained the circle upon the face of the deep;
28 when he established the skies above, when the fountains of the deep became strong;
29 when he imposed on the sea his decree that the waters should not pass his commandment, when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
30 then I was by him [his] nursling, 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.
32 And now, sons, hearken unto me, and blessed are they that keep my ways:
33 hear instruction and be wise, and refuse it not.
34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and obtaineth favour of Jehovah;
36 but he that sinneth against me doeth violence to his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
9 Wisdom hath built her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
2 she hath slaughtered her cattle, she hath mingled her wine, she hath also prepared her table;
3 she hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the summits of the high places of the city,
4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. To him that is void of understanding, she saith,
5 Come, eat ye of my bread, and drink of the wine that I have mingled.
6 Forsake follies and live, and go in the way of intelligence.
7 He that instructeth a scorner getteth to himself shame; and he that reproveth a wicked [man] [getteth] to himself a blot.
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise [man], and he will love thee.
9 Impart to a wise [man], and he will become yet wiser; teach a righteous [man], and he will increase learning.
10 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the Holy is intelligence.
11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
12 If thou art wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself; and if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
13 The foolish woman is clamorous; she is stupid, and knoweth nothing.
14 And she sitteth at the entry of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 to call passers-by who go right on their ways:
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. And to him that is void of understanding she saith,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and the bread of secrecy is pleasant.
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; [that] her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
10 The Proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father; but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; but righteousness delivereth from death.
3 Jehovah suffereth not the soul of the righteous [man] to famish; but he repelleth the craving of the wicked.
4 He cometh to want that dealeth with a slack hand; but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
5 He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
6 Blessings are upon the head of a righteous [man]; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.
7 The memory of the righteous [man] shall be blessed; but the name of the wicked shall rot.
8 The wise in heart receiveth commandments; but a prating fool shall fall.
9 He that walketh in integrity walketh securely; but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth grief, and a prating fool shall fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous [man] is a fountain of life; but the mouth of the wicked covereth violence.
12 Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all transgressions.
13 In the lips of an intelligent [man] wisdom is found; but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14 The wise lay up knowledge; but the mouth of the fool is near destruction.
15 The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labour of a righteous [man] [tendeth] to life; the revenue of a wicked [man], to sin.
17 Keeping instruction is the path to life; but he that forsaketh reproof goeth astray.
18 He that covereth hatred hath lying lips, and he that sendeth forth a slander is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; but he that restraineth his lips doeth wisely.
20 The tongue of the righteous [man] is [as] choice silver; the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21 The lips of a righteous [man] feed many; but fools die for want of understanding.
22 The blessing of Jehovah, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow to it.
23 It is as sport to a foolish [man] to do wickedness; but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
24 The fear of a wicked [man], it shall come upon him; but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
25 As a whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no [more]; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
27 The fear of Jehovah prolongeth days; but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28 The hope of the righteous is joy; but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
29 The way of Jehovah is strength to the perfect [man], but destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous [man] shall never be moved; but the wicked shall not inhabit the land.
31 The mouth of a righteous [man] putteth forth wisdom; but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32 The lips of a righteous [man] know what is acceptable; but the mouth of the wicked is frowardness.
11 A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; but a just weight is his delight.
2 [When] pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
3 The integrity of the upright guideth them; but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroyeth them.
4 Wealth profiteth not in the day of wrath; but righteousness delivereth from death.
5 The righteousness of the perfect maketh plain his way; but the wicked falleth by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivereth them; but the treacherous are taken in their own craving.
7 When a wicked man dieth, [his] expectation shall perish; and the hope of evil [men] perisheth.
8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
9 With his mouth a hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour; but through knowledge are the righteous delivered.
10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He that despiseth his neighbour is void of heart; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
13 He that goeth about talebearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
14 Where no advice is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
15 It goeth ill with him that is surety for another; but he that hateth suretyship is secure.
16 A gracious woman retaineth honour; and the violent retain riches.
17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but the cruel troubleth his own flesh.
18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.
19 As righteousness [tendeth] to life, so he that pursueth evil [doeth it] to his own death.
20 The perverse in heart are abomination to Jehovah; but they that are perfect in [their] way are his delight.
21 Hand for hand! an evil [man] shall not be held innocent; but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
22 A fair woman who is without discretion, is [as] a gold ring in a swine's snout.
23 The desire of the righteous is only good; the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is right, but [it tendeth] only to want.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
26 He that withholdeth corn, the people curse him; but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
27 He that is earnest after good seeketh favour; but he that searcheth for mischief, it shall come upon him.
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a leaf.
29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit wind; and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and the wise winneth souls.
31 Behold, the righteous shall be requited on the earth: how much more the wicked and the sinner.
Proverbs 8-11
New International Version
Proverbs 8-11
New International Version
Wisdom’s Call
8 Does not wisdom call out?(A)
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:(B)
4 “To you, O people, I call out;(C)
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple,(D) gain prudence;(E)
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,(F)
for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,(G)
11 for wisdom is more precious(H) than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.(I)
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.(J)
13 To fear the Lord(K) is to hate evil;(L)
I hate(M) pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.(N)
15 By me kings reign
and rulers(O) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(P)
and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]
17 I love those who love me,(Q)
and those who seek me find me.(R)
18 With me are riches and honor,(S)
enduring wealth and prosperity.(T)
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;(U)
what I yield surpasses choice silver.(V)
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,(W)
along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.(X)
22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;(Y)
25 before the mountains were settled in place,(Z)
before the hills, I was given birth,(AA)
26 before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.(AB)
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,(AC)
when he marked out the horizon(AD) on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above(AE)
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,(AF)
29 when he gave the sea its boundary(AG)
so the waters would not overstep his command,(AH)
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.(AI)
30 Then I was constantly[e] at his side.(AJ)
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.(AK)
32 “Now then, my children, listen(AL) to me;
blessed are(AM) those who keep my ways.(AN)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(AO) to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(AP) find life(AQ)
and receive favor from the Lord.(AR)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(AS)
all who hate me love death.”(AT)
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
9 Wisdom has built(AU) her house;
she has set up[f] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;(AV)
she has also set her table.(AW)
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls(AX)
from the highest point of the city,(AY)
4 “Let all who are simple(AZ) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(BA) she says,
5 “Come,(BB) eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.(BC)
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;(BD)
walk in the way of insight.”(BE)
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.(BF)
8 Do not rebuke mockers(BG) or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.(BH)
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.(BI)
10 The fear of the Lord(BJ) is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One(BK) is understanding.(BL)
11 For through wisdom[g] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.(BM)
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
13 Folly is an unruly woman;(BN)
she is simple and knows nothing.(BO)
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,(BP)
15 calling out(BQ) to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense(BR) she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!(BS)”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.(BT)
Proverbs of Solomon
10 The proverbs(BU) of Solomon:(BV)
A wise son brings joy to his father,(BW)
but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.(CD)
6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[h](CE)
7 The name of the righteous(CF) is used in blessings,[i]
but the name of the wicked(CG) will rot.(CH)
8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(CI)
9 Whoever walks in integrity(CJ) walks securely,(CK)
but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.(CL)
10 Whoever winks maliciously(CM) causes grief,
and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(CN)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(CO)
12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs.(CP)
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(CQ)
but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(CR)
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,(CY)
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(CZ)
and spreads slander is a fool.
19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.(DA)
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of sense.(DB)
23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,(DF)
but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.(DP)
29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.(DQ)
30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.(DR)
31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,(DS)
but a perverse tongue(DT) will be silenced.
32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,(DU)
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.(DV)
3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(EA)
5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(EE)
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(EF)
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.(EG)
7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them;(EH)
all the promise of[j] their power comes to nothing.(EI)
8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.(EJ)
9 With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.(EK)
10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;(EL)
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.(EM)
11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,(EN)
but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.(EO)
12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense,(EP)
but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.(EQ)
15 Whoever puts up security(EV) for a stranger will surely suffer,
but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(EW)
16 A kindhearted woman gains honor,(EX)
but ruthless men gain only wealth.
17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages,
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.(EY)
20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(FB)
but he delights(FC) in those whose ways are blameless.(FD)
21 Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free.(FE)
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.
24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
26 People curse the one who hoards grain,
but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell.
27 Whoever seeks good finds favor,
but evil comes to one who searches for it.(FH)
28 Those who trust in their riches will fall,(FI)
but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.(FJ)
29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.(FK)
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,(FL)
and the one who is wise saves lives.
31 If the righteous receive their due(FM) on earth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
Footnotes
- Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
- Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
- Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
- Proverbs 8:22 Or The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The Lord brought me forth at the beginning of his work
- Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child
- Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
- Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me
- Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
- Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.
- Proverbs 11:7 Two Hebrew manuscripts; most Hebrew manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac and Targum When the wicked die, their hope perishes; / all they expected from
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