The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Solomon 09
1 “O God of my ancestors and Lord of
mercy, who made all things by your word;
2 and by your wisdom you formed man,
thathe shouldhave dominionover the
creatures that were made by you,
3 and rule the world in holiness and
righteousness, and execute judgment
in uprightness of soul,
4 give me wisdom, her who sits by you
on your thrones. Don’t reject me from
among your† servants,
5 because I am your servant and the
son of your handmaid, a weak and short-lived man,
with little power to understand judgment and laws.
6 For even if a man is perfect among the
sons of men, if the wisdom that comes from you
is not with him, he will count for nothing.
7 You chose me to be king of your people,
and a judge for your sons and daughters.
8 You gave a command to build a sanctuary
on your holy mountain, and‡ analtar inthe city where youlive,
a copy of the holy tent which you prepared from the beginning.
9 Wisdom is with you and knows your
works, and was present when you were making the world,
and understands what is pleasing in
your eyes, and what is right according to your
commandments.
10 Send her from the holy heavens,
and ask her to come from the throne of
your glory, that being present with me she may
work, and I may learn what pleases you well.
11 For she knows all things and understands,
and she will guide me prudently in my
actions. She will guard me in her glory.
12 So my works will be acceptible.
I will judge your people righteously,
and I will be worthy of my father’s§
throne.
13 For what man will know the counsel of
God? Or who will conceive what the Lord
wills?
14 For the thoughts of mortals are unstable,
and our plans are prone to fail.
15 For a corruptible body weighs down the
soul. The earthy tent burdens a mind that is
full of cares.
16 We can hardly guess the things that are
on earth, and we find the things that are close at
hand with labor; but who has traced out the things that
are in the heavens?
17 Who gained knowledge of your counsel,
unless you gave wisdom, and sent your holy
spirit from on high?
18 It was thus that the ways of those who
are on earth were corrected, and men were taught the things that
are pleasing to you. They were saved through wisdom.”