Wisdom of Solomon, 8

1. Strongly she reaches from one end of the world to the other and she governs the whole world for its good.

1. She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well.

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

2. I loved her and sought her from my youth, and I desired to take her for my bride, and I became enamored of her beauty.

3. She enhances her noble birth by sharing God's life, for the Master of All has always loved her.

3. She glorifies her noble birth by living with God, and the Lord of all loves her.

4. Indeed, she shares the secrets of God's knowledge, and she chooses what he will do.

4. For she is an initiate in the knowledge of God, and an associate in his works.

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

5. If riches are a desirable possession in life, what is richer than wisdom who effects all things?

6. Or if it be the intellect that is at work, who, more than she, designs whatever exists?

6. And if understanding is effective, who more than she is fashioner of what exists?

7. Or if it be uprightness 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 useful for human beings.

7. And if any one loves righteousness, her labors are virtues; for she teaches self-control and prudence, justice and courage; nothing in life is more profitable for 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, and of the unfolding of the ages and the times.

8. And if any one longs for wide experience, she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come; she understands turns of speech and the solutions of riddles; she has foreknowledge of signs and wonders and of the outcome of seasons and times.

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

9. Therefore I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she would give me good counsel and encouragement in cares and grief.

10. 'Thanks to her, I shall be admired by the masses and honoured, though young, by the elders.

10. Because of her I shall have glory among the multitudes and honor in the presence of the elders, though I am young.

11. I shall be reckoned shrewd as a judge, and the great will be amazed at me.

11. I shall be found keen in judgment, and in the sight of rulers 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.

12. When I am silent they will wait for me, and when I speak they will give heed; and when I speak at greater length they will put their hands on their mouths.

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

13. Because of her I shall have immortality, and leave an everlasting remembrance to those who come after me.

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

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 the people and valiant in battle.

15. dread monarchs will be afraid of me when they hear of me; among the people I shall show myself capable, and courageous in war.

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, nothing but pleasure and joy.'

16. When I enter my house, I shall find rest with her, for companionship with her has no bitterness, and life with her has no pain, but gladness and joy.

17. Having meditated on all this, and having come to the conclusion that immortality resides in kinship with Wisdom,

17. When I considered these things inwardly, and thought upon them in my mind, that in kinship with wisdom there is immortality,

18. noble contentment in her friendship, inexhaustible riches in her activities, understanding in cultivating her society, and renown in conversing with her, I went all ways, seeking how to get her.

18. and in friendship with her, pure delight, and in the labors of her hands, unfailing wealth, and in the experience of her company, understanding, and renown in sharing her words, I went about seeking how to get her for myself.

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

19. As a child I was by nature well endowed, and a good soul fell to my lot;

20. or rather, being good, I had entered an undefiled body;

20. or rather, being good, I entered an undefiled body.

21. but, realising that I could never possess Wisdom unless God gave her to me, -a sign of intelligence in itself, to know in whose gift she lay -- I prayed to the Lord and entreated him, and with all my heart I said:

21. But I perceived that I would not possess wisdom unless God gave her to me -- and it was a mark of insight to know whose gift she was -- so I appealed to the Lord and besought him, and with my whole heart I said: