Wisdom 8

¹ She deploys her strength from one end of the earth to the other, ordering all things for good.

² She it was I loved and searched for from my youth; I resolved to have her as my bride, I fell in love with her beauty.

³ Her closeness to God lends lustre to her noble birth, since the Lord of All has loved her.

⁴ Yes, she is an initiate in the mysteries of God’s knowledge, making choice of the works he is to do.

⁵ If in this life wealth be a desirable possession, what is more wealthy than Wisdom whose work is everywhere?

⁶ Or if it be the intellect that is at work, where is there a greater than Wisdom, designer of all?

⁷ Or if it be virtue you love, why, virtues are the fruit of her labours, since it is she who teaches temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude; nothing in life is more serviceable to men than these.

⁸ Or if you are eager for wide experience, she knows the past, she forecasts the future; she knows how to turn maxims, and solve riddles; she has foreknowledge of signs and wonders, of the unfolding of the ages and the times.

⁹ I therefore determined to take her to share my life, knowing she would be my counsellor in prosperity, my comfort in cares and sorrow.

¹⁰ Through her, I thought, I shall be acclaimed where people gather and honoured, while still a youth, among the elders.

¹¹ I shall be reckoned shrewd when I sit in judgement, in presence of the great I shall be admired.

¹² They will wait on my silences, and pay attention when I speak; if I speak at some length, they will lay their hand on their lips.

¹³ By means of her, immortality shall be mine, I shall leave an everlasting memory to my successors.

¹⁴ I shall govern peoples and nations will be subject to me;

¹⁵ at the sound of my name fearsome despots will be afraid; I shall show myself kind to my people and valiant in battle.

¹⁶ When I go home I shall take my ease with her, for nothing is bitter in her company, when life is shared with her there is no pain, gladness only, and joy.

¹⁷ Inwardly revolving these thoughts, and considering in my heart that immortality is found in being kin to Wisdom

¹⁸ pure contentment in her friendship, inexhaustible riches in what she does, intelligence in the cultivation of her society, and renown in the fellowship of her conversation, I went in all directions seeking by what means I might make her mine.

¹⁹ I was a boy of happy disposition, I had received a good soul as my lot,

²⁰ or rather, being good, I had entered an undefiled body; but knowing I could not master Wisdom but by the gift of God – a mark itself of understanding, to know whose the bounty was – I turned to the Lord and entreated him, with all my heart I said: