She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
Parallel translations
- WEB She calls at the head of noisy places. At the entrance of the city gates, she utters her words:
- BSB in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech:
- ESV at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
- NKJV She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words:
- NASB At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; At the entrance of the gates in the city she declares her sayings:
- NLT She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate:
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Wisdom proclaims her message at the busiest, most public places. It matters because no one can claim wisdom's call never reached them.
Overview
Wisdom cries out at the noisy crossroads and city gates, the centers of commerce and judgment. Her message penetrates everyday life, leaving people without excuse. This public, accessible call mirrors the open proclamation of the gospel to all who pass by.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Acts 5:20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
- Prov 9:3She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
- Matt 10:27What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
- Matt 13:2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
- John 18:20Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 1:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.