1 I my selfe also am a mortall man, like to all, and the ofspring of him that was first made of the earth,
2 And in my mothers wombe was fashioned to be flesh in the time of tenne moneths being compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure that came with sleepe.
3 And when I was borne, I drew in the common aire, and fell vpon the earth which is of like nature, and the first voice which I vttered, was crying as all others doe.
4 I was nursed in swadling clothes, and that with cares.
5 For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth.
6 For all men haue one entrance vnto life, and the like going out.
7 Wherefore I prayed, and vnderstanding was giuen mee: I called vpon God, and the spirit of wisedome came to me.
8 I preferred her before scepters, and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
9 Neither compared I vnto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and siluer shalbe counted as clay before her.
10 I loued her aboue health and beautie, and chose to haue her in stead of light: for the light that commeth from her neuer goeth out.
11 All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands.
12 And I reioyced in them all, because wisedome goeth before them: and I knew not that shee was the mother of them.
13 I learned diligently, and doe communicate her liberally: I doe not hide her riches.
14 For shee is a treasure vnto men that neuer faileth: which they that vse, become the friends of God: being commended for the gifts that come from learning.
15 God hath granted me to speake as I would, and to conceiue as is meet for the things that are giuen mee: because it is hee that leadeth vnto wisedome, and directeth the wise.
16 For in his hand are both we and our wordes: all wisedome also and knowledge of workemanship.
17 For hee hath giuen mee certaine knowledge of the things that are, namely to know how the world was made, & the operation of the elements:
18 The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning of the Sunne, and the change of seasons:
19 The circuits of yeres, and the positions of starres:
20 The natures of liuing creatures, and the furies of wilde beasts: the violence of windes, and the reasonings of men: the diuersities of plants, and the vertues of rootes:
21 And all such things as are either secret or manifest: them I know.
22 For wisedome which is the worker of all things, taught mee: for in her is an vnderstanding spirit holy, one onely, manifold, subtile, liuely, cleare, vndefiled, plaine, not subiect to hurt, louing the thing that is good, quicke, which cānot be letted, ready to do good:
23 Kinde to man, stedfast, sure, free from care, hauing all power, ouerseeing all things, and going through all vnderstanding, pure, and most subtile spirits.
24 For wisedome is more moouing then any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her purenesse.
25 For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no vndefiled thing fall into her.
26 For shee is the brightnesse of the euerlasting light: the vnspotted mirrour of the power of God, and the Image of his goodnesse.
27 And being but one she can doe all things: and remayning in her selfe, she maketh all things new: and in all ages entring into holy soules, she maketh them friends of God, & Prophets.
28 For God loueth none but him, that dwelleth with wisedome.
29 For she is more beautiful then the Sunne, and aboue all the order of starres, being compared with the light, she is found before it.
30 For after this commeth night: but vice shall not preuaile against wisdome.
Chap 8
Wisdome reacheth from one ende to another mightily: and sweetly doeth she order all things.
2 I loued her and sought her out, from my youth I dedesired to make her my spouse, and I was a louer of her beautie.
3 In that she is conuersant with God, she magnifieth her nobilitie: yea, the Lord of all things himselfe loued her.
4 For she is priuy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a louer of his workes.
5 If riches be a possession to be desired in this life: what is richer then wisedome that worketh all things?
6 And if prudence worke; who of all that are, is a more cunning workeman then she?
7 And if a man loue righteousnesse, her labours are vertues: for she teacheth temperance and prudence: iustice and fortitude, which are such things as men can haue nothing more profitable in their life.
8 If a man desire much experience: she knoweth things of old, and coniectureth aright what is to come: shee knoweth the subtilties of speaches, and can expound darke sentences: she foreseeth signes and wonders, and the euents of seasons and times.
9 Therefore I purposed to take her to me to liue with mee, knowing that shee would be a counsellour of good things, and a comfort in cares & griefe.
10 For her sake I shall haue estimation among the multitude, and honour with the Elders, though I be yong.
11 I shall be found of a quicke conceit in iudgement, and shall be admired in the sight of great men.
12 When I hold my tongue they shal bide my leisure, and when I speake they shall giue good eare vnto me: if I talke much, they shall lay their handes vpon their mouth.
13 Moreouer, by the meanes of her, I shall obtaine immortalitie, and leaue behind me an euerlasting memoriall to them that come after me.
14 I shall set the people in order, and the nations shalbe subiect vnto me.
15 Horrible tyrants shall be afraide when they doe but heare of me, I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in warre.
16 After I am come into mine house, I will repose my selfe with her: for her conuersation hath no bitternes, and to liue with her, hath no sorrow, but mirth and ioy.
17 Now when I considered these things in my selfe, and pondered them in mine heart, how that to be allyed vnto wisedome, is immortalitie,
18 And great pleasure it is to haue her friendship, and in the workes 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.
19 For I was a wittie child, and had a good spirit.
20 Yea rather being good, I came into a body vndefiled.
21 Neuerthelesse when I perceiued that I could not otherwise obtaine her, except God gaue her me (and that was a point of wisdome also to know whose gift she was) I prayed vnto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said:
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).