The Wisdom of Solomon
Chapter 7
1. I am a mortal man
like everyone else
and my human race
was created from the earth
and in my mother’s womb
My body formed from flesh.
2. In a period of ten months
was I trapped within blood
after coming from a man’s seed
with the only comfort being sleep.
3. Once I was born
I breathed in the outside air
and fell upon the ground
from which I was made
and my first words
were said by crying
as do so many others.
4. I was nursed in diapers
and greatly cared for.
5. Yet none of the kings
experienced a birth differently.
6, For every human enters the same way
as they come into this world
just as they leave this world the same way.
7. So therefore I asked
and was given understanding
and I called upon God
and the spirit of wisdom came over me.
8. Then I preferred her
more than kingdoms and thrones
and respectful wealth
nothing compares to her.
9. Neither can I compare her
to any precious stone.
For all gold in comparison
is like a little sand
and silver held up to her
can be counted as clay.
10. I loved her greatly
above health and beauty
and chose her over light.
For her light can’t be put out.
11. Now every good thing
has come with her
and uncountable wealth
has come through her hands.
12. So I rejoiced for all these
for it is wisdom that rises
for I knew not that she
was the mother of them all.
13. That I have learned innocently
and communicated without envy
as her wealth lays unhidden.
14. She is an infinite treasure
for those who use her
will become friends of God
graced with the gift of devotion.
15. So God let me speak
and then to be understanding
worthy of things given to me
because He is the guide of wisdom
and the director of the wise.
16. For we are all in His hands
and our words and wisdom
become the knowledge
that professes our works.
17. He has given me understanding
of the
things we can know
like the nature of
the universe
and the merits of the elements.
18. And the beginning and end
the trends of the times
the forks in the roads
and the changes of seasons.
19. The transformations of time
and the dispositions of the stars.
20. The personalities of animals
and the violence of wild beasts
the
force of winds
and the reasoning of men
the diversities of plants
and the virtues of roots.
21. All these things are hidden
and are not foreseen.
I have learned from wisdom
the doer of all things
taught me.
22. For within her
is the spirit of understanding.
The Holy One
manifested and subtle
eloquent and active
undefiled and sure
sweet and loving
all that is good
quick yet never hindered
and beneficent.
23. Gentle and kind
steady, assured and secure
having all authority
overseeing everything
containing all spirits
intelligent, pure and subtle.
24. For wisdom is more active
than any active thing
and reaches everywhere
through her purity.
25. For she is the essence
of the power of God
a surely pure emanation
of the glory of the Almighty
and therefore nothing defiled
will affect her.
26. For she is the brightness
of the eternal light
and the unspotted mirror
of God's majesty
the image of His goodness.
27. Even though she is one
she can do everything.
Though she remains the same
she renews everything
and by the people
she conveys herself
into the souls of the holy
and she makes friends
of God and prophets.
28. For God loves those
within whom wisdom dwells.
29. For her beauty
eclipses the sun
above the order of stars
and just like light
she is found within.
30. After nighttime descends
wickedness never defeats wisdom.
