20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;

Other Translations of Proverbs 1:20

King James Version

20 Wisdom Wisdom: Heb. Wisdoms, that is, Excellent wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

English Standard Version

20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;

The Message

20 Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts. At the town center she makes her speech.

New King James Version

20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.

New Living Translation

20 Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 1:20

Commentary on Proverbs 1:20-33

(Read Proverbs 1:20-33)

Solomon, having showed how dangerous it is to hearken to the temptations of Satan, here declares how dangerous it is not to hearken to the calls of God. Christ himself is Wisdom, is Wisdoms. Three sorts of persons are here called by Him: 1. Simple ones. Sinners are fond of their simple notions of good and evil, their simple prejudices against the ways of God, and flatter themselves in their wickedness. 2. Scorners. Proud, jovial people, that make a jest of every thing. Scoffers at religion, that run down every thing sacred and serious. 3. Fools. Those are the worst of fools that hate to be taught, and have a rooted dislike to serious godliness. The precept is plain; Turn you at my reproof. We do not make a right use of reproofs, if we do not turn from evil to that which is good. The promises are very encouraging. Men cannot turn by any power of their own; but God answers, Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you. Special grace is needful to sincere conversion. But that grace shall never be denied to any who seek it. The love of Christ, and the promises mingled with his reproofs, surely should have the attention of every one. It may well be asked, how long men mean to proceed in such a perilous path, when the uncertainty of life and the consequences of dying without Christ are considered? Now sinners live at ease, and set sorrow at defiance; but their calamity will come. Now God is ready to hear their prayers; but then they shall cry in vain. Are we yet despisers of wisdom? Let us hearken diligently, and obey the Lord Jesus, that we may enjoy peace of conscience and confidence in God; be free from evil, in life, in death, and for ever.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Other Translations of Proverbs 3:16

King James Version

16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

English Standard Version

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

The Message

16 With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition.

New King James Version

16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.

New Living Translation

16 She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 3:16

Commentary on Proverbs 3:13-20

(Read Proverbs 3:13-20)

No precious jewels or earthly treasures are worthy to be compared with true wisdom, whether the concerns of time or eternity be considered. We must make wisdom our business; we must venture all in it, and be willing to part with all for it. This Wisdom is the Lord Jesus Christ and his salvation, sought and obtained by faith and prayer. Were it not for unbelief, remaining sinfulness, and carelessness, we should find all our ways pleasantness, and our paths peace, for his are so; but we too often step aside from them, to our own hurt and grief. Christ is that Wisdom, by whom the worlds were made, and still are in being; happy are those to whom he is made of God wisdom. He has wherewithal to make good all his promises.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

Other Translations of Proverbs 3:17

King James Version

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

English Standard Version

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

The Message

17 Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete.

New King James Version

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.

New Living Translation

17 She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 3:17

Commentary on Proverbs 3:13-20

(Read Proverbs 3:13-20)

No precious jewels or earthly treasures are worthy to be compared with true wisdom, whether the concerns of time or eternity be considered. We must make wisdom our business; we must venture all in it, and be willing to part with all for it. This Wisdom is the Lord Jesus Christ and his salvation, sought and obtained by faith and prayer. Were it not for unbelief, remaining sinfulness, and carelessness, we should find all our ways pleasantness, and our paths peace, for his are so; but we too often step aside from them, to our own hurt and grief. Christ is that Wisdom, by whom the worlds were made, and still are in being; happy are those to whom he is made of God wisdom. He has wherewithal to make good all his promises.

8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.

Other Translations of Proverbs 4:8

King James Version

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

English Standard Version

8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.

The Message

8 Throw your arms around her - believe me, you won't regret it; never let her go - she'll make your life glorious.

New King James Version

8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her.

New Living Translation

8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 4:8

Commentary on Proverbs 4:1-13

(Read Proverbs 4:1-13)

We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome. Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God! Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.

Warning against Adultery

20 My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching. 21 Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.

Other Translations of Proverbs 6:20-22

King James Version

Warning against Adultery

20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

English Standard Version

Warning against Adultery

20 My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. 21 Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, theyHebrew it; three times in this verse will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.

The Message

Warning against Adultery

20 Good friend, follow your father's good advice; don't wander off from your mother's teachings. 21 Wrap yourself in them from head to foot; wear them like a scarf around your neck. 22 Wherever you walk, they'll guide you; whenever you rest, they'll guard you; when you wake up, they'll tell you what's next.

New King James Version

Warning against Adultery

20 My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother. 21 Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. 22 When you roam, they will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.

New Living Translation

Warning against Adultery

20 My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's instruction. 21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 6:20-22

Commentary on Proverbs 6:20-35

(Read Proverbs 6:20-35)

The word of God has something to say to us upon all occasions. Let not faithful reproofs ever make us uneasy. When we consider how much this sin abounds, how heinous adultery is in its own nature, of what evil consequence it is, and how certainly it destroys the spiritual life in the soul, we shall not wonder that the cautions against it are so often repeated. Let us notice the subjects of this chapter. Let us remember Him who willingly became our Surety, when we were strangers and enemies. And shall Christians, who have such prospects, motives, and examples, be slothful and careless? Shall we neglect what is pleasing to God, and what he will graciously reward? May we closely watch every sense by which poison can enter our minds or affections.

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up[1] its seven pillars. 2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, 4 "Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says,

Other Translations of Proverbs 9:1-4

King James Version

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; her beasts: Heb. her killing she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

English Standard Version

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3 She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, 4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says,

The Message

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers. 2 The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers. 3 Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice: 4 "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!

New King James Version

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, 4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

New Living Translation

Wisdom and the Foolish Woman

91 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. 2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4 "Come in with me," she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 9:1-4

Commentary on Proverbs 9:1-12

(Read Proverbs 9:1-12)

Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.