Wis 7

1 I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring of him that was first madeof the earth, 2 And in my mother's womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months, being compactedin blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure that came with sleep. 3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of likenature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do. 4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares. 5 For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth. 6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out. 7 Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spiritof wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparisonof her. 9 Neither compared I to her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is asa little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her. 10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for thelight that comes from her never goes out. 11 All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands. 12 And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goes before them: and I knew not that shewas the mother of them. 13 I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do not hide her riches. 14 For she is a treasure to men that never fails: which they that use become the friendsof God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning. 15 God has granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is meet for the things thatare given me: because it is he that leads to wisdom, and directs the wise. 16 For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship. 17 For he has given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how theworld was made, and the operation of the elements: 18 The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning of thesun, and the change of seasons: 19 The circuits of years, and the positions of stars: 20 The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts: the violence of winds,and the reasonings of men: the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots: 21 And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know. 22 For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understandingspirit holy, one only, manifold, subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, lovingthe thing that is good quick, which can’t be letted, ready to do good, 23 Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things,and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtil, spirits. 24 For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passes and goes through all things byreason of her pureness. 25 For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the gloryof the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her. 26 For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the powerof God, and the image of his goodness. 27 And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she makes all thingsnew: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she makes them friends of God, and prophets. 28 For God loves none but him that dwells with wisdom. 29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being comparedwith the light, she is found before it. 30 For after this comes night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom.