Proverbs 8 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
10th century BC, reign of Solomon (~970-930 BC)
Location
Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Israel
Audience
People of ancient Israel, especially youth and leaders seeking godly wisdom
Situation
Wisdom is personified as a woman calling aloud in public places like streets and city gates, proclaiming her excellence and eternal presence with God to exhort listeners to choose her over folly.
Key Background
Proverbs is wisdom literature largely attributed to Solomon, with chapters 1-9 serving as an introduction contrasting wisdom and folly through poetic discourses. Chapter 8 elevates wisdom's role, depicting it as present and delighted in at creation (v. 22-31), influencing later Jewish and Christian thought on divine wisdom and Christology. This context underscores the timeless appeal of pursuing wisdom amid daily life choices.
Doesn't call out? Doesn't raise her voice?
At the highest points overlooking the road, at the crossroads — that's where she takes her stand.
Right beside the leading into the city, at every entrance, she cries out:
"I'm calling out to you — every one of you! My voice goes out to all of
If you're learn to be If you're foolish, develop some
Listen — I have to say. When I open my mouth, what comes out is
My mouth speaks what is — I find disgusting.
Every word I say is None of it is or crooked.
To anyone with understanding, every word is straightforward. To those who have found it all makes sense.
Choose my over silver. Choose knowledge over the finest gold.
Because wisdom is worth more than jewels — nothing you could ever want even comes close."
"I am wisdom, and I live alongside I possess knowledge and
To means hating what is evil. I hate pride, evil behavior, and dishonest speech.
I offer good advice and I am understanding itself, and belongs to me.
Kings use me to rule well. Rulers use me to make laws that are
Princes lead through me — every official who governs justly.
I those who me, and anyone who for me will find me.
Riches and honor are mine to give — lasting and
What I produce is better than gold — even the purest gold. What I yield is better than the finest silver.
I walk along the path of right down the middle of the road of
giving to those who love me and filling their storehouses full.
me being as the first of his work, before any of his ancient deeds.
I was from the very beginning — from the earliest times, before the earth even existed.
When there were no oceans, I was already there — born before any springs were flowing with water.
Before the mountains were in before the hills — I was born.
This was before he had made the earth or its fields, before even the first handful of in the world.
When he set the in place, I was there. When he drew the horizon over the face of the
when he secured the clouds overhead, when he locked down the of the
when he set the for the sea so the water would never cross his command, when he laid the of the earth —
I was right beside him, the I was his every single day, in his presence all the time,
playing across his whole earth, finding my delight in the
"So now, my children, listen to me. is for those who keep to my ways.
Listen to and be wise — don't ignore it.
Life is good for the person who listens to me, at my doors every day, waiting beside my doorposts.
Because whoever finds me finds and receives from Yahweh.
But whoever misses me Everyone who hates me is in love with