At Home with Wisdom
Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 1. Wisdom stretches out from one end of the earth to the other, And she governs all things well. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 2. I loved her and sought her from my youth, And desired to take her as a bride for myself; And I became a lover of her beauty. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 3. She glorifies her noble birth by living with God, And the Master of all loves her. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 4. For she is the initiate of the knowledge of God And one who chooses His works. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 5. Now if riches are a possession to be desired in life, What is richer than wisdom, who works all things? Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 6. And if discernment shows itself in action, Who more than wisdom is its craftsman? Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 7. If anyone loves righteousness, The products of righteousness are the virtues. For wisdom teaches self-control, discernment, righteousness and courage, Concerning which things there is nothing more valuable in the life of man. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 8. But also, if anyone longs for great experience, She knows the things of old and portrays the things to come; She understands subtlety of words and the solution of riddles; She has foreknowledge of signs and wonders And the outcomes of times and seasons. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 9. Therefore I decided to take her to live with me, Knowing she would give me good counsel And encouragement in cares and sorrows. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 10. Because of her I will have glory among the multitudes And honor in the presence of the elders, though I am young. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 11. I will be found keen in judgment And be admired in the sight of rulers. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 12. When I am silent, they will wait for me, And when I speak, they will give heed to me; And when I speak longer, They will put their hand over their mouth. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 13. I will have immortality because of her And will leave an eternal remembrance For those who exist after me. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 14. I shall govern peoples, And nations will be subject to me. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 15. Dread tyrants shall be afraid of me when they hear of me; Among the people I will show myself To be good and courageous in war. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 16. When I enter my house, I shall find rest with her, For association with her has no bitterness, Neither does living with her have any sorrow, But only gladness and joy. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 17. When I considered these things within myself And thought about them in my heart, That in kinship with wisdom there is immortality, Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 18. And in friendship with her there is good pleasure, And in the labors of her hands there is unfailing wealth, And in the shared training of her company there is discernment, And in the fellowship of her words there is good repute— Thus I searched about that I might take her for myself. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 19. As a child I was good by nature and received a good soul; Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 20. And much more, since I was good, I entered an undefiled body. Wisdom of Solomon 8, verse 21. Yet I knew otherwise that I would not be self-controlled Unless God gave me wisdom, And that it was a mark of discernment To know whose gift she was— So I entreated the Lord and besought Him, And with all my heart, I said: