The King Is a Mere Man
Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 1. Now I also am a mortal, the same as all men, And earthborn, a descendant of the first-formed man; For in the womb of a mother I was engraved as flesh. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 2. In a period of ten months, I was constructed with blood From the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 3. When I was born, I breathed the common air, Then fell upon the earth the same as all; And as my first sound, I cried like everyone else. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 4. I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 5. Thus no king had a different beginning of existence, Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 6. For there is one entrance into life for all, And a common departure.
Solomon's Love of Wisdom
Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 7. Therefore I prayed, and discernment was given to me; I appealed to God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 8. I preferred her to scepter and thrones, And regarded wealth as nothing in comparison to her. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 9. Nor did I liken her to any priceless stone, Because all gold is only a little sand in her sight. And silver will be counted as clay before her. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 10. I loved her more than health and beauty, And I chose her instead of light, Because her light is sleepless. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 11. All good things came to me together with her, And in her hands countless wealth. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 12. I was gladdened by all of them Because wisdom rules them; But I did not know she was their mother. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 13. So I learned both honestly and ungrudgingly, And I do not hide her wealth, Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 14. For it is an unfailing treasure for men Who, when they get it, obtain friendship with God, For they demonstrate her gifts that come from instruction. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 15. May God grant me to speak according to His purpose And to think worthily of what I was given, For He is also the guide of wisdom and the corrector of the wise. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 16. For both we and our words are in His hand, And so are all insights and knowledge of handicrafts. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 17. For He gives me knowledge of the things that exist: To know the truthful structure of the world, The operative power of its elementary principles, Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 18. The beginning, end, and middle of the times, The changes of the solstices and the transitions of the seasons, Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 19. The cycles of the year and the arranging of the stars, Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 20. The natures of animals and the tempers of beasts, The force of winds and the reasoning of mankind, The distinction of plants and the strength of roots, Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 21. And to know whatever is hidden and whatever is visible. For wisdom, the artisan of all things, taught me. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 22. So in herself, wisdom is a spirit that is rational, Holy, only-begotten, manifold, subtle, easily moved, clear, Undefiled, manifest, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen, Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 23. Unhindered, beneficent, man-loving, steadfast, unfailing, Free from worry, all-powerful, all-surveying, And penetrating all spirits that are rational, pure, and most subtle. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 24. For wisdom moves from one place to another More easily than motion itself, And because of her purity, she penetrates all things. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 25. So she is the exhalation of the power of God And the emanation of the pure glory of the Almighty; Therefore nothing defiled enters her. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 26. For she is the radiance of eternal light, A spotless mirror of the operative power of God And the image of His goodness. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 27. Though she is one, she can do all things; So while remaining in herself, she renews all things; And in every generation, she passes into holy souls And makes them friends of God and prophets. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 28. Thus God loves nothing as much As the one who lives with wisdom. Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 29. For wisdom is more beautiful than the sun And more than every constellation of stars. Compared with light she is found to be superior, Wisdom of Solomon 7, verse 30. For night succeeds the light, But evil cannot overcome wisdom.