Wisdom 7

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Certainly, I myself am also a mortal man, like everyone, and the offspring of this earth, which was made beforehand; and in my mother’s womb I was fashioned with care,	1 I myself also am a mortal man, like all others, and of the race of him, that was first made of the earth, and in the womb of my mother I was fashioned to be flesh.
2 within the time of ten months, made of blood, from the seed of man and the delight of sleeping together.	2 In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring.
3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and in similar fashion, I fell upon the earth, and the first voice I uttered, like everyone, was crying.	3 And being born I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, that is made alike, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.
4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes and with great care.	4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares.
5 For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.	5 For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.
6 Therefore, there is only one entrance for everyone into life, and the same in leaving.	6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
7 Because of this, I chose, and understanding was given to me; and I prayed, and the spirit of wisdom came to me;	7 Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:
8 and I placed her before kingdoms and thrones, and I considered riches nothing in comparison with her.	8 And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
9 Neither did I compare to her a precious stone, for all gold in comparison with her is like a little sand, and silver, in view of her, will be valued as if dirt.	9 Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold in comparison of her, is as a little sand, and silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay.
10 I loved her above health and beauty, and I placed having her before light, for her light is unfailing.	10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out.
11 Yet all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable honors by her hand;	11 Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands,
12 and I rejoiced in all these, because this wisdom went before me, although I did not know that she is the mother of them all.	12 And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all.
13 This I have learned without falsehood and communicate without envy, and her integrity I do not hide.	13 Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.
14 Indeed, she is an infinite treasure chest for men, and those who make use of it, become partakers in the friendship of God, because they are recommended by the gifts of instruction.	14 For she is an infinite treasure to men! which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gift of discipline.
15 Yet God has given to me to speak my mind, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given to me, because he is the leader of wisdom and the repairer of understanding.	15 And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise:
16 For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the works of science, and instruction.	16 For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.
17 For he has given me true knowledge of these things which exist: so as to know the orderly arrangement of the world, and the powers of the elements,	17 For he hath given me the true knowledge of the things that are: to know the disposition of the whole world, and the virtues of the elements,
18 the beginning and the end and the midpoint of the seasons, the characteristics of changing things, and the divisions of time,	18 The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,
19 the courses of the years, and the orderly arrangement of the stars,	19 The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars,
20 the natures of animals, and the rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and the reasonings of men, the diversities of plants, and the benefits of roots,	20 The natures of living creatures, and rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and reasonings of men, the diversities of plants, and the virtues of roots,
21 and all such things as are hidden and unexpected, I have learned; for wisdom, the artisan of all things, taught me.	21 And all such things as are hid and not foreseen, I have learned: for wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me.
22 For in her is the spirit of understanding: holy, singular, manifold, subtle, perceptive, lively, chaste, reliable, gracious, loving, good, astute, who forbids nothing beneficial,	22 For in her is the spirit of understanding: holy, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent,
23 humane, kind, steadfast, trustworthy, secure, having all virtue, watching for all things and grasping all things with a pure and most delicate understanding of spirit.	23 Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits, intelligible, pure, subtile.
24 For wisdom is more active than all active things, yet she reaches everywhere because of her purity.	24 For wisdom is more active than all active things: and reacheth everywhere by reason of her purity.
25 For she is a breath of the virtue of God and a genuine emanation from the purity of the almighty God, and therefore nothing unclean can invade her.	25 For she is a vapour of the power of God, and a certain pure emanation of the glory of the almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her.
26 Indeed, she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of the majesty of God, and the image of his goodness.	26 For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God's majesty, and the image of his goodness.
27 And though she is one, she can do all things; and, unchanging in herself, she renews all things, and throughout the nations she conveys herself to holy souls, establishing them as friends and prophets of God.	27 And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God and prophets.
28 For God loves none but those who dwell with wisdom.	28 For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.
29 For she is more spectacular than the sun, and above the array of all the stars; compared with the light, she is found to be before it.	29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of the stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.
30 Indeed, after her comes night, but wisdom will not be overcome by malice.	30 For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom.