Bible in Basic English
From eternal days I was given my place, from the birth of time, before the earth was.
When there was no deep I was given birth, when there were no fountains flowing with water.
Before the mountains were put in their places, before the hills was my birth:
When he had not made the earth or the fields or the dust of the world.
When he made ready the heavens I was there: when he put an arch over the face of the deep:
When he made strong the skies overhead: when the fountains of the deep were fixed:
When he put a limit to the sea, so that the waters might not go against his word: when he put in position the bases of the earth:
Then I was by his side, as a master workman: and I was his delight from day to day, playing before him at all times;
Playing in his earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.
Give ear to me then, my sons: for happy are those who keep my ways.
Take my teaching and be wise; do not let it go.
Happy is the man who gives ear to me, watching at my doors day by day, keeping his place by the pillars of my house.
For whoever gets me gets life, and grace from the Lord will come to him.
But he who does evil to me, does wrong to his soul: all my haters are in love with death.
— Proverbs 8:23-1964, Bible in Basic English
“I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. ”
“From eternity I have been fashioned, from the beginning, from before the world existed. When there were no deep oceans I was born, when there were no springs overflowing with water; before the mountains were set in place– before the hills– I was born, before he made the earth and its fields, or the top soil of the world. When he established the heavens, I was there; when he marked out the horizon over the face of the deep, when he established the clouds above, when he secured the fountains of the deep, when he gave the sea his decree that the waters should not pass over his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him as a master craftsman, and I was his delight day by day, rejoicing before him at all times, rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth, and delighting in its people. “So now, children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction so that you may be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching at my doors day by day, waiting beside my doorway. For the one who finds me has found life and received favor from the LORD. But the one who misses me brings harm to himself; all who hate me love death."”
I go in the road of righteousness, in the way of right judging:
So that I may give my lovers wealth for their heritage, making their store-houses full.
The Lord made me as the start of his way, the first of his works in the past.
From eternal days I was given my place, from the birth of time, before the earth was.
When there was no deep I was given birth, when there were no fountains flowing with water.
Before the mountains were put in their places, before the hills was my birth:
When he had not made the earth or the fields or the dust of the world.
When he made ready the heavens I was there: when he put an arch over the face of the deep:
When he made strong the skies overhead: when the fountains of the deep were fixed:
When he put a limit to the sea, so that the waters might not go against his word: when he put in position the bases of the earth:
Then I was by his side, as a master workman: and I was his delight from day to day, playing before him at all times;
Playing in his earth; and my delight was with the sons of men.
Give ear to me then, my sons: for happy are those who keep my ways.
Take my teaching and be wise; do not let it go.
Happy is the man who gives ear to me, watching at my doors day by day, keeping his place by the pillars of my house.
For whoever gets me gets life, and grace from the Lord will come to him.
But he who does evil to me, does wrong to his soul: all my haters are in love with death.