Wisdom Before Creation
Proverbs 8
Wisdom speaks in the streets and city gates, declaring her words true and more valuable than gold or precious stones, and stating that through her kings reign and rulers govern justly. She describes being established by the Lord before the world was made and present with him as he formed the heavens and the earth, and calls all who hear to wait daily at her doors.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAS for thee, thou art to proclaim wisdom; that understanding may attend thee.
BrentonThou shalt proclaim wisdom, that understanding may be obedient to thee.
GreekΣὺ τὴν σοφίαν κηρύξεις, ἵνα φρόνησίς σοι ὑπακούσῃ.
KJVDoth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
JPSDoth not wisdom call, And understanding put forth her voice?
2
Thomson—
BrentonFor she is on lofty eminences, and stands in the midst of the ways.
GreekἘπὶ γὰρ τῶν ὑψηλῶν ἄκρων ἐστὶν, ἀναμέσον δὲ τῶν τρίβων ἕστηκε.
KJV—
JPS—
3
Thomson—
BrentonFor she sits by the gates of princes, and sings in the entrances, saying,
GreekΠαρὰ γὰρ πύλαις δυναστῶν παρεδρεύει, ἐν δὲ εἰσόδοις ὑμνεῖται.
KJV—
JPS—
4
Thomson“To you, O men, I call, and utter my voice to the sons of men.
BrentonYou, O men, I exhort; and utter my voice to the sons of men.
GreekὙμᾶς ὦ ἄνθρωποι παρακαλῶ, καὶ προΐεμαι ἐμὴν φωνὴν υἱοῖς ἀνθρώπων.
KJVUnto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
JPS’Unto you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.
5
Thomson—
BrentonO ye simple, understand subtlety, and ye that are untaught, imbibe knowledge.
GreekΝοήσατε ἄκακοι πανουργίαν, οἱ δὲ ἀπαίδευτοι ἔνθεσθε καρδίαν.
KJVO ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
JPS—
6
ThomsonHearken to me, for I will speak solemn things; and with my lips disclose things which are right.
BrentonHearken to me; for I will speak solemn truths; and will produce right sayings from my lips.
GreekΕἰσακούσατέ μου, σεμνὰ γὰρ ἐρῶ, καὶ ἀνοίσω ἀπὸ χειλέων ὀρθά.
KJVHear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
JPSHear, for I will speak excellent things, And the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7
ThomsonFor my mouth shall speak truth. Lying lips are indeed abominable in my sight.
BrentonFor my throat shall meditate truth; and false lips are an abomination before me.
GreekὍτι ἀλήθειαν μελετήσει ὁ φάρυγξ μου, ἐβδελυγμένα δὲ ἐναντίον ἐμοῦ χείλη ψευδῆ.
KJVFor my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
JPSFor my mouth shall utter truth, And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8
ThomsonAll the words of my mouth are with righteousness; they have nothing crooked—nothing deceitful in them.
BrentonAll the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing in them wrong or perverse.
GreekΜετὰ δικαιοσύνης πάντα τὰ ῥήματα τοῦ στόματός μου, οὐδὲν ἐαυτοῖς σκολιὸν οὐδὲ στραγγαλιῶδες.
KJVAll the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
JPSAll the words of my mouth are in righteousness, There is nothing perverse or crooked in them.
9
ThomsonThey are all plain to men of understanding, and right to them who find knowledge.
BrentonThey are all evident to those that understand, and right to those that find knowledge.
GreekΠάντα ἐνώπια τοῖς συνιοῦσι, καὶ ὀρθὰ τοῖς εὑρίσκουσι γνῶσιν.
KJVThey are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
JPSThey are all plain to him that understandeth, And right to them that find knowledge.
10
ThomsonReceive instruction in preference to silver, and knowledge rather than fine gold.
BrentonReceive instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than tried gold.
GreekΛάβετε παιδείαν καὶ μὴ ἀργύριον, καὶ γνῶσιν ὑπὲρ χρυσίον δεδοκιμασμένον·
KJVReceive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
JPSReceive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold.
11
ThomsonFor wisdom is better than precious stones: and no costly thing is equal to it in value.
BrentonFor wisdom is better than precious stones; and no valuable substance is of equal worth with it.
GreekΚρείσσων γὰρ σοφία λίθων πολυτελῶν, πᾶν δὲ τίμιον οὐκ ἄξιον αὐτῆς ἐστιν.
KJVFor wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
JPSFor wisdom is better than rubies, And all things desirable are not to be compared unto her.
12
ThomsonI, Wisdom, have inhabited counsel and knowledge; and I have made an appeal to understanding.
BrentonI wisdom have dwelt with counsel and knowledge, and I have called upon understanding.
GreekἘγὼ ἡ σοφία κατεσκήνωσα βουλὴν καὶ γνῶσιν, καὶ ἔννοιαν ἐγὼ ἐπεκαλεσάμην.
KJV—
JPS—
13
Thomson“The fear of the Lord hateth injustice and insolence and haughtiness and the ways of the wicked: and I have hated the crooked ways of bad men.
BrentonThe fear of the Lord hates unrighteousness, and insolence, and pride, and the ways of wicked men; and I hate the perverse ways of bad men.
GreekΦόβος Κυρίου μισεῖ ἀδικίαν, ὕβριν τε καὶ ὑπερηφανίαν καὶ ὁδοὺς πονηρῶν· μεμίσηκα δὲ ἐγὼ διεστραμμένας ὁδοὺς κακῶν.
KJVThe fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
JPSThe fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the froward mouth, do I hate.
14
ThomsonTo me belong counsel and safety. Prudence is mine—mine is fortitude.
BrentonCounsel and safety are mine: prudence is mine, and strength is mine.
GreekἘμὴ βουλὴ καὶ ἀσφάλεια, ἐμὴ φρόνησις, ἐμὴ δὲ ἰσχύς.
KJVCounsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
JPSCounsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.
15
ThomsonBy me kings reign and princes decree justice.
BrentonBy me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
GreekΔιʼ ἐμοῦ βασιλεῖς βασιλεύουσι, καὶ οἱ δυνάσται γράφουσιν δικαιοσύνην.
KJVBy me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
JPSBy me kings reign, And princes decree justice.
16
ThomsonBy me potentates are exalted; and by me sovereigns rule the earth.
BrentonBy me nobles become great, and monarchs by me rule over the earth.
GreekΔιʼ ἐμοῦ μεγιστᾶνες μεγαλύνονται, καὶ τύραννοι διʼ ἐμοῦ κρατοῦσι γῆς.
KJVBy me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
JPSBy me princes rule, And nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
17
ThomsonThem who love me, I love: and they who seek me shall find me.
BrentonI love those that love me; and they that seek me shall find me.
GreekἘγὼ τοὺς ἐμὲ φιλοῦντας ἀγαπῶ, οἱ δὲ ἐμὲ ζητοῦντες εὑρήσουσιν.
KJVI love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
JPSI love them that love me, And those that seek me earnestly shall find me.
18
ThomsonWith me are riches and glory, even great possessions and righteousness.
BrentonWealth and glory belong to me; yea, abundant possessions and righteousness.
GreekΠλοῦτος καὶ δόξα ἐμοὶ ὑπάρχει, καὶ κτῆσις πολλῶν καὶ δικαιοσύνη.
KJVRiches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
JPSRiches and honour are with me; Yea, enduring riches and righteousness.
19
ThomsonMy fruit is better than gold and precious stones: and my productions are better than choice silver.
BrentonIt is better to have my fruit than to have gold and precious stones; and my produce is better than choice silver.
GreekΒέλτιον ἐμὲ καρπίζεσθαι ὑπὲρ χρυσίον καὶ λίθον τίμιον, τὰ δὲ ἐμὰ γεννήματα κρείσσω ἀργυρίου ἐκλεκτοῦ.
KJVMy fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
JPSMy fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my produce than choice silver.
20
ThomsonI walk in the ways of righteousness; and am conversant in the paths of judgment:
BrentonI walk in ways of righteousness, and am conversant with the paths of judgment;
GreekἘν ὁδοῖς δικαιοσύνης περιπατῶ, καὶ ἀναμέσον τρίβων δικαιώματος ἀναστρέφομαι·
KJVI lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
JPSI walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice;
21
Thomsonthat I may distribute wealth to them who love me; and fill their treasuries with good things.
Brentonthat I may divide substance to them that love me, and may fill their treasures with good things.
Greekἵνα μερίσω τοῖς ἐμὲ ἀγαπῶσιν ὕπαρξιν, καὶ τοὺς θησαυροὺς αὐτῶν ἐμπλήσω ἀγαθῶν·
KJVThat I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
JPSThat I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, And that I may fill their treasuries.
21a
Thomson—
BrentonIf I declare to you the things that daily happen, I will remember also to recount the things of old.
Greekἐὰν ἀναγγείλω ὑμῖν τὰ καθʼ ἡμέραν γινόμενα, μνημονεύσω τὰ ἐξ αἰῶνος ἀριθμῆσαι.
KJV—
JPS—
22
Thomson“Having told you things which happen daily, I will now remember to reckon up things of old. The Lord created me, the beginning of His ways, for His works.
BrentonThe Lord made me the beginning of his ways for his works.
GreekΚύριος ἔκτισέ με ἀρχὴν ὁδῶν αὐτοῦ εἰς ἔργα αὐτοῦ,
KJVThe LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
JPSThe LORD made me as the beginning of His way, The first of His works of old.
23
ThomsonBefore this age He founded me; in the beginning,
BrentonHe established me before time was in the beginning, before he made the earth:
Greekπρὸ τοῦ αἰῶνος ἐθεμελίωσέ με, ἐν ἀρχῇ πρὸ τοῦ τὴν γῆν ποιῆσαι,
KJVI was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
JPSI was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Or ever the earth was.
24
Thomsonbefore He made the earth and before He made the deeps: before the fountains of water issued forth—
Brentoneven before he made the depths; before the fountains of water came forth:
Greekκαὶ πρὸ τοῦ τὰς ἀβύσσους ποιῆσαι, πρὸ τοῦ προελθεῖν τὰς πηγὰς τῶν ὑδάτων·
KJVWhen there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
JPSWhen there were no depths, I was brought forth; When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25
Thomsonbefore the mountains were established and before all the hills, He bringeth me forth.
Brentonbefore the mountains were settled, and before all hills, he begets me.
GreekΠρὸ τοῦ ὄρη ἑδρασθῆναι, πρὸ δὲ πάντων βουνῶν, γεννᾷ με.
KJVBefore the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
JPSBefore the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth;
26
Thomson“The Lord made fields and uninhabited wilds; and the habitable heights of the earth.
BrentonThe Lord made countries and uninhabited tracts, and the highest inhabited parts of the world.
GreekΚύριος ἐποίησε χώρας καὶ ἀοικήτους, καὶ ἄκρα οἰκούμενα τῆς ὑπʼ οὐρανῶν.
KJVWhile as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
JPS—
27
ThomsonWhen He furnished the heaven, I was with Him; and when He set apart His own throne on the winds:
BrentonWhen he prepared the heaven, I was present with him; and when he prepared his throne upon the winds:
GreekἩνίκα ἡτοίμαζε τὸν οὐρανὸν, συμπαρήμην αὐτῷ, καὶ ὅτε ἀφώριζε τὸν ἑαυτοῦ θρόνον ἐπʼ ἀνέμων,
KJVWhen he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
JPS—
28
Thomsonand when He strengthened the clouds above:
Brentonand when he strengthened the clouds above; and when he secured the fountains of the earth:
Greekκαὶ ὡς ἰσχυρὰ ἐποίει τὰ ἄνω νέφη, καὶ ὡς ἀσφαλεῖς ἐτίθει πηγὰς τῆς ὑπʼ οὐρανὸν,
KJVWhen he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
JPSWhen He made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep showed their might,
29
Thomsonand when He secured the fountains of the earth below—when He set to the sea its bound, and the waters passed not the word of His mouth. And when He made the fountains of the earth strong,
Brentonand when he strengthened the foundations of the earth:
Greekκαὶ ὡς ἰσχυρὰ ἐποίει τὰ θεμέλια τῆς γῆς,
KJVWhen he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
JPSWhen He gave to the sea His decree, That the waters should not transgress His commandment, When He appointed the foundations of the earth;
30
Thomson—
BrentonI was by him, suiting myself to him, I was that wherein he took delight; and daily I rejoiced in his presence continually.
Greekἤμην παρʼ αὐτῷ ἁρμόζουσα· ἐγὼ ἤμην ᾗ προσέχαιρε· καθʼ ἡμέραν δὲ εὐφραινόμην ἐν προσώπῳ αὐτοῦ ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ,
KJV—
JPS—
31
ThomsonI was daily gladdened by His presence on all occasions—[both] when He finished the world and was pleased therewith, and when He was pleased with the sons of men.”
BrentonFor he rejoiced when he had completed the world, and rejoiced among the children of men.
Greekὅτε ἐνευφραίνετο τὴν οἰκουμένην συντελέσας, καὶ ἐνευφραίνετο ἐν υἱοῖς ἀνθρώπων.
KJV—
JPS—
32
ThomsonNow, therefore, my son, hearken to me.
BrentonNow then, my son, hear me: blessed is the man who shall hearken to me, and the mortal who shall keep my ways;
GreekΝῦν οὖν υἱὲ ἄκουέ μου,
KJVNow therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
JPSNow therefore, ye children, hearken unto me; For happy are they that keep my ways.
34
Thomson“Happy is the man who will hearken to me: and the man who will keep my ways; watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
Brentonwatching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my entrances.
Greekμακάριος ἀνὴρ ὃς εἰσακούσεταί μου, καὶ ἄνθρωπος ὃς τὰς ἐμὰς ὁδοὺς φυλάξει, ἀγρυπνῶν ἐπʼ ἐμαῖς θύραις καθʼ ἡμέραν, τηρῶν σταθμοὺς ἐμῶν εἰσόδων.
KJVBlessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
JPSHappy is the man that hearkeneth to me, Watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35
ThomsonFor my ways are the ways of life; and volition is obtained from the Lord.
BrentonFor my outgoings are the outgoings of life, and in them is prepared favour from the Lord.
GreekΑἱ γὰρ ἔξοδοί μου, ἔξοδοι ζωῆς, καὶ ἑτοιμάζεται θέλησις παρὰ Κυρίου.
KJVFor whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
JPSFor whoso findeth me findeth life, And obtaineth favour of the LORD.
36
ThomsonBut they who sin against me act wickedly against their own souls; and they who hate me love death.”
BrentonBut they that sin against me act wickedly against their own souls: and they that hate me love death.
GreekΟἱ δὲ ἁμαρτάνοντες εἰς ἐμὲ, ἀσεβοῦσιν εἰς τὰς ἑαυτῶν ψυχὰς, καὶ οἱ μισοῦντές με ἀγαπῶσι θάνατον.
KJVBut he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
JPSBut he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul; All they that hate me love death.’