Add parallel Print Page Options

The Way of Wisdom

12 “I, wisdom, am related to[a] prudence.
    I know how to be discreet.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
    Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle,
        and perverted speech I despise.
14 Counsel belongs to me,
    along with sound judgment.
I am understanding.
    Power belongs to me.
15 Kings reign by me,
    and rulers dispense justice through me.
16 By me leaders rule, as do noble officials
    and all who govern justly.[b]
17 I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me will find me.
18 Wealth and honor accompany me,
    as do enduring wealth and righteousness.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:12 Lit. wisdom, live with
  2. Proverbs 8:16 So MT; LXX reads and tyrants rule the earth

12 I, wisdom, live with prudence,
    and I find knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of Yahweh is hatred of evil,
    pride, and arrogance and an evil way.
    And I hate a mouth of perversity.
14 Advice and sound judgment[a] are mine;
    I am understanding, strength is mine.[b]
15 By me kings reign,
    and rulers decree righteousness.
16 By me rulers rule,
    and nobles—all judges of righteousness.
17 I love those who love me,[c]
    and those who seek me diligently shall find me.
18 Fortune and glory are with me,
    enduring wealth and righteousness.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:14 Literally “To/for me are advice and sound judgment”
  2. Proverbs 8:14 Literally “to/for me is strength”
  3. Proverbs 8:17 Literally “her lovers”

20 Devious minds are abhorrent to the Lord,
    but those whose ways are innocent are his delight.

Read full chapter

20 An abomination of Yahweh are the crooked of heart,[a]
    but his delight are those with blameless ways.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:20 Literally “crooked ones of heart”; “heart” may also be translated “mind”
  2. Proverbs 11:20 Literally “blameless ones of ways”

The good person will gain favor from the Lord,
    but the man who plots evil will be condemned by him.

Read full chapter

The good obtains favor from Yahweh,
    but anyone who schemes, he condemns.

Read full chapter

22 Deceitful speech is reprehensible to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Read full chapter

22 An abomination of Yahweh are lips of deceit,
    but they who act faithfully are his delight.

Read full chapter

31 Whoever oppresses the poor defies their Creator,
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors them.

Read full chapter

31 He who oppresses the poor insults him who made him,
    but he who has mercy on the poor honors him.

Read full chapter

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,
    but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.

Read full chapter

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination of Yahweh,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
An abomination of Yahweh is the way of the wicked,
    but he who pursues righteousness he will love.

Read full chapter

30 Blows that wound clean away evil;
    such beatings cleanse[a] the innermost being.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:30 The Heb. lacks cleanse

30 The blows of a wound will cleanse evil,
    as will[a] beatings of the innermost part.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:30 Hebrew “and”
  2. Proverbs 20:30 Literally “parts of the inmost”

To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Read full chapter

Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable
    to Yahweh than sacrifice.

Read full chapter

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love
    finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Read full chapter

21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Read full chapter

The reward of humility is the fear of the Lord,
    along with wealth, honor, and life.

Read full chapter

The reward of humility is the fear of Yahweh—
    wealth and honor and life.

Read full chapter