The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Solomon 07
1 I myself am also† mortal, like everyone
else, and am a descendant of one formed
first and born of the earth.
2 I molded into flesh in the time of ten
months in my mother’s womb, being compacted
in blood from the seed of man and
pleasure of marriage.
3 I also, when I was born, drew in the
common air, and fell upon the kindred earth,
uttering, like all, for my first voice, the
same cry.
4 I was nursed with care in swaddling
clothes.
5 For no king had a different beginning,
6 but all men have one entrance into
life, and a common departure.
7 For this cause I prayed, and understanding
was given to me.I asked, and a spirit of
wisdom came to me.
8 I preferred her before sceptres and
thrones. I considered riches nothing
in comparison to her.
9 Neither did I liken to her any priceless
gem, because all gold in her presence is a
little sand, and silver will be considered as clay
before her.
10 Iloved her more than health and beauty,
and I chose to have her rather than
light, because her bright shining is never
laid to sleep.
11 All good things came to me with her,
and innumerable riches are in her
hands.
12 And I rejoiced over them all because
wisdom leads them; although I didn’t know that she was
their mother.
13 As Ilearned without guile, Iimpart with out grudging.
I don’t hide her riches.
14 For she is a treasure for men that doesn’t
fail, and those who use it obtain friendship
with God, commended by the gifts which they
present through discipline.
15 But may God grant that I may speak his
judgment,and to conceive thoughts worthy of
what has been given me; because he is
one who guides even wisdom and
who corrects the wise.
16 For both we and our words are in his
hand, with all understanding and skill in
various crafts.
17 For he himself gave me an unerring
knowledge of the things that are,
to know the structure of the universe
and the operation of the elements;
18 the beginning, end, and middle of
times; the alternations of the solstices and
the changes of seasons;
19 the circuits of years and the
positions of stars;
20 the natures of living creatures and
the raging of wild beasts; the violence
of‡ winds and the thoughts of men;
the diversities of plants and the
virtues of roots.
21 All things that are either secret
or manifest I learned,
22 for wisdom, that is the architect of
all things, taught me. For there is in
her a spirit that is quick to understand, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle, freely moving,
clear in utterance, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving what is
good, keen, unhindered,
23 beneficent, loving toward man,
steadfast, sure, free from care, all
powerful, all-surveying,
and penetrating through all spirits
that are quick to understand, pure,
most subtle.
24 For wisdom is more mobile than any
motion. Yes, she pervades and penetrates all
things by reason of her purity.
25 For she is a breath of the power of God,
and a pure emanation of the glory of
the Almighty. Therefore nothing defiled
can find entrance into her.
26 For she is a reflectionof everlasting light,
an unspotted mirror of the working of
God, and an image of his goodness.
27 Although she is one, she has power to do
all things. Remaining in herself, she renews all
things. From generation to generation passing
into holy souls, she makes friends of God and
prophets.
28 For God loves nothing as much as
one who dwells with wisdom.
29 For she is fairer than the sun,
and above all the constellations of the
stars. She is better than light.
30 For daylight yields to night,
but evil does not prevail against wisdom.