The Wisdom of Solomon

⭑ World English Bible Catholic :: King James Version ⭑

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- Chapter 8 -

Further praises of wisdom: and her fruits.

But she reaches from one end to the other with full strength, and orders all things well.

I loved her and sought her from my youth. I sought to take her for my bride. I became enamoured by her beauty.

She glorifies her noble birth by living with God. The Sovereign Lord of all loves her.

For she is initiated into the knowledge of God, and she chooses his works.

But if riches are a desired possession in life, what is richer than wisdom, which makes all things?

And if understanding is effective, who more than(a) wisdom is an architect of the things that exist?

If a man loves righteousness, the fruits of wisdom’s labor(b) are virtues, for she teaches soberness, understanding, righteousness, and courage. There is nothing in life more profitable for people than these.

And if anyone longs for wide experience, she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come. She understands subtleties of speeches and interpretations of dark sayings. She foresees signs and wonders, and the issues of seasons and times.

Therefore I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she is one who would give me good counsel, and encourage me in cares and grief.

Because of her, I will have glory among multitudes, and honor in the sight of elders, though I am young.

I will be found keen when I give judgment. I will be admired in the presence of rulers.

When I am silent, they will wait for me. When I open my lips, they will heed what I say. If I continue speaking, they will put their hands on their mouths.

Because of her, I will have immortality, and leave behind an eternal memory to those who come after me.

I will govern peoples. Nations will be subjected to me.

Dreaded monarchs will fear me when they hear of me. Among the people, I will show myself to be good, and courageous in war.

When I come into my house, I will find rest with her. For conversation with her has no bitterness, and living with her has no pain, but gladness and joy.

When I considered these things in myself, and thought in my heart how immortality is in kinship to wisdom,

and in her friendship is good delight, and in the labors of her hands is wealth that doesn’t fail, and understanding is in her companionship, and great renown in having fellowship with her words, I went about seeking how to take her to myself.

Now I was a clever child, and received a good soul.

Or rather, being good, I came into an undefiled body.

But perceiving that I could not otherwise possess wisdom unless God gave her to me— yes, and to know and understand by whom the grace is given— I pleaded with the Lord and implored him, and with my whole heart I said:

Footnotes

(a)8:6 Gr. she.

(b)8:7 Gr. her labors

Further praises of wisdom: and her fruits.

Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily: and sweetly doth she order all things.

I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty.

In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility: yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her.

For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.

If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?

And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she?

And if a man love righteousness her labours are virtues: for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as men can have nothing more profitable in their life.

If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old, and conjectureth aright what is to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.

Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief.

For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the elders, though I be young.

I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men.

When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth.

Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me.

I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me.

Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.

After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy.

Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;

And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works 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.

For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.

Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled.

Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said,