Font Size
Proverbs 8-11
New Life Version
Proverbs 8-11
New Life Version
Praising Wisdom
8 Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 She takes her stand on the top of the hill beside the way, where the paths meet. 3 Beside the gates in front of the town, at the open doors, she cries out, 4 “I call to you, O men. My voice is to the sons of men. 5 O child-like ones, learn to use wisdom. O fools, make your mind understand. 6 Listen, for I will speak great things. What is right will come from my lips. 7 For my mouth will speak the truth. My lips hate wrong-doing. 8 All the words of my mouth are right and good. There is nothing in them that is against the truth. 9 They are all clear to him who understands, and right to those who find much learning. 10 Take my teaching instead of silver. Take much learning instead of fine gold. 11 For wisdom is better than stones of great worth. All that you may desire cannot compare with her.
12 “I, wisdom, live with understanding, and I find much learning and careful thinking. 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate what is sinful. I hate pride, self-love, the way of sin, and lies. 14 I have teaching and wisdom. I have understanding and power. 15 By me kings rule and rulers make laws that are fair. 16 By me rulers rule, and all the princes rule on the earth. 17 I love those who love me, and those who look for me with much desire will find me. 18 Riches and honor are mine, lasting riches and being right with God. 19 My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold. What I give is better than fine silver. 20 I walk in the way that is right with God, in the center of the ways that are fair. 21 I give riches to those who love me, and fill their store-houses.
22 “The Lord made me at the beginning of His work, before His first works long ago. 23 I was set apart long ago, from the beginning, before the earth was. 24 I was born when there were no seas, when there were no pools full of water. 25 I was born before the mountains and hills were in their places. 26 It was before He had made the earth or the fields, or the first dust of the world. 27 I was there when He made the heavens, and when He drew a mark around the top of the sea. 28 I was there when He put the skies above, and when He put the wells of the waters in their place. 29 I was there when He marked out the places for the sea, so that the waters would not go farther than what He said. I was there when He marked out the ground for the earth. 30 I was beside Him as the leading workman. I was His joy every day. I was always happy when I was near Him. 31 I was happy in the world, His earth, and found joy in the sons of men.
32 “So now, O sons, listen to me, for happy are they who keep my ways. 33 Hear my teaching and be wise. Do not turn away from it. 34 Happy is the man who listens to me, watching every day at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35 For he who finds me finds life, and gets favor from the Lord. 36 But he who misses me hurts himself. All those who hate me love death.”
Wisdom—or the Way to Hell
9 Wisdom has built her house. She has made seven pillars to hold it up. 2 She has cooked her food, and has mixed her wine, and she has set her table. 3 She has sent out the young women who work for her. She calls from the highest places of the city, 4 “Whoever is easy to fool, let him turn in here!” She says to the one without understanding, 5 “Come and eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Turn from your foolish way, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
7 He who speaks strong words to the man who laughs at the truth brings shame upon himself. He who speaks strong words to a sinful man gets hurt. 8 Do not speak strong words to a man who laughs at the truth, or he will hate you. Speak strong words to a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give teaching to a wise man and he will be even wiser. Teach a man who is right and good, and he will grow in learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To learn about the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will grow in number, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom is a help to you. If you laugh at the truth, you alone will suffer for it.
13 A foolish woman makes much noise. She is open to sin, and knows nothing. 14 She sits at the door of her house or on a seat in the high places of the city. 15 She calls to those who pass by and are making their paths straight, 16 “Whoever is easy to fool, let him turn in here!” She says to the one without understanding, 17 “Stolen water is sweet. And bread eaten in secret is pleasing.” 18 But he does not know that the dead are there, and that the ones who visit her are in the bottom of hell.
The Wise Sayings of Solomon, Chapters 10 through 29
10 The sayings of Solomon:
A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
2 Riches taken by wrong-doing do no good, but doing what is right and good saves from death.
3 The Lord will not let those who are right with Him go hungry, but He puts to one side the desire of the sinful.
4 He who works with a lazy hand is poor, but the hand of the hard worker brings riches.
5 A son who gathers in summer is wise, but a son who sleeps during gathering time brings shame.
6 Good things are given to those who are right with God, but the mouth of the sinful hides trouble.
7 Those who are right with God are remembered with honor, but the name of the sinful will waste away.
8 The wise in heart will receive teaching, but a fast talking fool will become nothing.
9 He who is right in his walk is sure in his steps, but he who takes the wrong way will be found out.
10 He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a fast talking fool will become nothing.
11 The mouth of the one who is right with God is a well of life, but the mouth of the sinful hides trouble.
12 Hate starts fights, but love covers all sins.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a stick is for the back of him who has no understanding.
14 Wise men store up learning, but the foolish will be destroyed with their mouths.
15 The riches of a rich man are his strength, but the need of the poor is what destroys them.
16 The pay earned by those who are right with God is life, but the sinful are paid by being punished.
17 He who listens to teaching is on the path of life, but he who will not listen to strong words goes the wrong way.
18 He who hides hate has lying lips, and he who talks to hurt people is a fool.
19 The one who talks much will for sure sin, but he who is careful what he says is wise.
20 The tongue of those who are right with God is like fine silver, but the heart of the sinful is not worth much.
21 The lips of those who are right with God feed many, but fools die for want of understanding.
22 The good that comes from the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow to it.
23 Doing wrong is like play to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom.
24 What the sinful man is afraid of will come upon him, and what is wanted by the man who is right with God will be given to him.
25 When the storm passes, the sinful man is no more, but the man who is right with God has a place to stand forever.
26 Like sour wine to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him.
27 The fear of the Lord makes life longer, but the years of the sinful will be cut off.
28 The hope of those who are right with God is joy, but the hope of the sinful comes to nothing.
29 The way of the Lord is a strong-place to those who are faithful, but it destroys those who do wrong.
30 Those who are right with God will never be shaken, but the sinful will not live in the land.
31 The mouth of those who are right with God flows with wisdom, but the sinful tongue will be stopped.
32 The lips of those who are right with God speak what is pleasing to others, but the mouth of the sinful speaks only what is bad.
11 The Lord hates a false weight, but a true weight is His joy.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame, but wisdom is with those who have no pride.
3 The honor of good people will lead them, but those who hurt others will be destroyed by their own false ways.
4 Riches are of no use in the day of God’s anger, but being right with God saves from death.
5 Those right with God, who are without blame, make a straight way for themselves, but the sinful will fall by their own wrong-doing.
6 Being right with God will save the honest man, but those who hurt others will be trapped by their wrong desires.
7 When a sinful man dies, his hope dies with him, and all his power comes to nothing.
8 The one who is right with God is kept from trouble, but the sinful get into trouble instead.
9 The sinful man destroys his neighbor with his mouth, but those who are fair will be saved through knowing God.
10 The city is glad when everything goes well with those who are right with God, and there are shouts of joy when the sinful are destroyed.
11 A city is honored by the good things that come to the faithful, but it is torn down by the mouth of the sinful.
12 He who hates his neighbor does not think well, but a man of understanding keeps quiet.
13 He who is always telling stories makes secrets known, but he who can be trusted keeps a thing hidden.
14 A nation falls where there is no wise leading, but it is safe where there are many wise men who know what to do.
15 He who puts himself as trust for what a stranger owes to another will suffer for it, but he who hates to be trusted for what another owes is safe.
16 A kind woman gets honor, and bad men get riches.
17 The man who shows loving-kindness does himself good, but the man without pity hurts himself.
18 The sinful man earns false pay, but he who spreads what is right and good gets pay that is sure.
19 He who will not be moved from being right with God will live, but he who goes for what is bad will bring about his own death.
20 The Lord hates those who are sinful in heart, but those who walk without blame are His joy.
21 Know for sure that the sinful man will not go without being punished, but the children of those who are right with God will be saved.
22 A beautiful woman who does not think well is like a gold ring in the nose of a pig.
23 The desire of those who are right with God is only good, but the hope of the sinful is anger.
24 There is one who is free in giving, and yet he grows richer. And there is one who keeps what he should give, but he ends up needing more.
25 The man who gives much will have much, and he who helps others will be helped himself.
26 The people curse him who keeps grain for himself, but good comes to him who sells it.
27 He who looks for good finds favor, but he who looks for wrong-doing will have bad come to him.
28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but those who are right with God will grow like a green leaf.
29 He who troubles his own house will be given the wind, and the foolish will serve those with a wise heart.
30 The fruit of those who are right with God is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
31 If those who are right with God will be paid on earth, how much more the sinful and the wrong-doer!
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
New Life Version (NLV)
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.