3 Heb “at the mouth of.”
4 The cry is a very loud ringing cry that could not be missed. The term רָנַן (ranan) means “to give a ringing cry.” It is often only a shrill sound that might come with a victory in battle, but its use in the psalms for praise shows that it also can have clear verbal content, as it does here. For wisdom to stand in the street and give such a ringing cry would mean that it could be heard by all. It was a proclamation.
5 Heb “men.” Although it might be argued in light of the preceding material that males would be particularly addressed by wisdom here, the following material indicates a more universal appeal. Cf. , “to all of you.”
6 The verb “calls” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for the sake of style.
7 Heb “sons of man.” Cf. “the children of men”; , “all people”; “all that live.”
8 The imperative of בִּין (bin) means “to understand; to discern.” The call is for the simple to understand what wisdom is, not just to gain it.
9 Heb “heart.” The noun לֵב (lev, “heart”) often functions metonymically for wisdom, understanding, discernment.
10 Heb “noble” or “princely.” Wisdom begins the first motivation by claiming to speak noble things, that is, excellent things.
11 Heb “opening of my lips” (so , ). The noun “lips” is a metonymy of cause, with the organ of speech put for what is said.
12 Heb “roof of the mouth.” This expression is a metonymy of cause for the activity of speaking.
13 The word “truth” (אֱמֶת, ’emet) is derived from the verbal root אָמַן (’aman) which means “to support.” There are a number of derived nouns that have the sense of reliability: “pillars,” “master craftsman,” “nurse,” “guardian.” Modifiers related to this group of words includes things like “faithful,” “surely,” “truly” (amen). In the derived stems the verb develops various nuances: The Niphal has the meanings of “reliable, faithful, sure, steadfast,” and the Hiphil has the meaning “believe” (i.e., consider something dependable). The noun “truth” means what is reliable or dependable, firm or sure.
14 Wise lips detest wickedness; wisdom hates speaking wicked things. In fact, speaking truth results in part from detesting wickedness.
15 Heb “wickedness is an abomination to my lips” (so , , ).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

beside the gates in front of the town,

at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:

“To you, O men, I call,

and my cry is to the children of man.

O simple ones, learn prudence;

O fools, learn sense.

Hear, for I will speak noble things,

and from my lips will come what is right,

for my mouth will utter truth;

wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

beside the gate leading into the city,

at the entrance, she cries aloud:

“To you, O people, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.

You who are simple, gain prudence;

you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;

I open my lips to speak what is right.

My mouth speaks what is true,

for my lips detest wickedness.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Beside the gates leading into the city,

at the main entrance, she cries out:

“People, I call out to you;

my cry is to the children of Adam.

Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced;

develop common sense, you who are foolish.

Listen, for I speak of noble things,

and what my lips say is right.

For my mouth tells the truth,

and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

NLTNew Living Translation

By the gates at the entrance to the town,

on the road leading in, she cries aloud,

“I call to you, to all of you!

I raise my voice to all people.

You simple people, use good judgment.

You foolish people, show some understanding.

Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.

Everything I say is right,

for I speak the truth

and detest every kind of deception.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Beside gates, before towns,

at the entrance of doors, she cries out:

“To you, O people, I call,

and my cry is to the children of humankind.

Learn prudence, O simple ones;

fools, learn intelligence.

Listen! For noble things I will speak,

and upright things from the opening of my lips.

My mouth will utter truth,

and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

KJV 1900King James Version

She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city,

At the coming in at the doors.

Unto you, O men, I call;

And my voice is to the sons of man.

O ye simple, understand wisdom:

And, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things;

And the opening of my lips shall be right things.

For my mouth shall speak truth;

And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Public Domain