The Book of Wisdom [The Wisdom of Solomon]
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Anonymous
8:4 For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.
8:5 If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?
8:6 And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she?
8:7 And if a man love righteousness her labours are virtues: for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as men can have nothing more profitable in their life.
8:8 If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old, and conjectureth aright what is to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.
8:9 Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief.
8:10 For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the elders, though I be young.
8:11 I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men.
8:12 When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth.
8:13 Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me.
8:14 I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me.
8:15 Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.
8:16 After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy.
8:17 Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;
8:18 And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to take her to me.
8:19 For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.
8:20 Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled.
8:21 Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said,
9:1 O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word,
9:2 And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made,
9:3 And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart:
9:4 Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children:
9:5 For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.
9:6 For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.
9:7 Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters:
9:8 Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning.
9:9 And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments.
9:10 O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto thee.
9:11 For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power.
9:12 So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father’s seat.
9:13 For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is?
9:14 For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain.
9:15 For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things.
9:16 And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out?
9:17 And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above?
9:18 For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom.
10:1 She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall,
10:2 And gave him power to rule all things.
10:3 But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.
10:4 For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value.