Wisdom of Solomon (Wis. 7)

[1] I also am mortal, like all men,
a descendant of the first-formed child of earth;
and in the womb of a mother I was molded into flesh,

[2] within the period of ten months, compacted with blood,
from the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage.

[3] And when I was born, I began to breathe the common air,
and fell upon the kindred earth,
and my first sound was a cry, like that of all.

[4] I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths.

[5] For no king has had a different beginning of existence;

[6] there is for all mankind one entrance into
life, and a common departure.

[7] Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.

[8] I preferred her to scepters and thrones,
and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.

[9] Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem,
because all gold is but a little sand in her sight,
and silver will be accounted as clay before her.

[10] I loved her more than health and beauty,
and I chose to have her rather than light,
because her radiance never ceases.

[11] All good things came to me along with her,
and in her hands uncounted wealth.

[12] I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom leads them;
but I did not know that she was their mother.

[13] I learned without guile and I impart without grudging;
I do not hide her wealth,

[14] for it is an unfailing treasure for men;
those who get it obtain friendship with God,
commended for the gifts that come from instruction.
[15] May God grant that I speak with judgment
and have thought worthy of what I have received,
for he is the guide even of wisdom
and the corrector of the wise.

[16] For both we and our words are in his hand,
as are all understanding and skill in crafts.

[17] For it is he who gave me unerring knowledge of what exists,
to know the structure of the world and the
activity of the elements;

[18] the beginning and end and middle of times,
the alternations of the solstices and the changes
of the seasons,

[19] the cycles of the year and the constellations of the stars,

[20] the natures of animals and the tempers of wild beasts,
the powers of spirits and the reasonings of men,
the varieties of plants and the virtues of roots;

[21] I learned both what is secret and what is manifest,

[22] for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me.
For in her there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle,
mobile, clear, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen,
irresistible,

[23] beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety,
all-powerful, overseeing all,
and penetrating through all spirits
that are intelligent and pure and most subtle.
[24] For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;
because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.

[25] For she is a breath of the power of God,
and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.

[26] For she is a reflection of eternal light,
a spotless mirror of the working of God,
and an image of his goodness.

[27] Though she is but one, she can do all things,
and while remaining in herself, she renews all things;
in every generation she passes into holy souls
and makes them friends of God, and prophets;

[28] for God loves nothing so much as the man who lives with wisdom.

[29] For she is more beautiful than the sun,
and excels every constellation of the stars.
Compared with the light she is found to be superior,

[30] for it is succeeded by the night,
but against wisdom evil does not prevail.