Wisdom 9

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word,	1 “God of my fathers and Lord of mercy, who has made all things with your word,
2 And by thy wisdom hast appointed man, that he should have dominion over the creature that was made by thee,	2 and by your wisdom has established man to have dominion over the creatures which have been made by you,
3 That he should order the world according to equity and justice, and execute justice with an upright heart:	3 so that he would order the world in equity and justice, and execute judgment with an upright heart,
4 Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne, and cast me not off from among thy children:	4 give me wisdom, the handmaiden at your throne, and be unwilling to reject me from among your children,
5 For I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid, a weak man, and of short time, and falling short of the understanding of judgment and laws.	5 because I am your servant, and the son of your handmaid, a weak man, and short-lived, with limited understanding of judgment and laws.
6 For if one be perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.	6 And if someone were perfect among the sons of men, yet if your wisdom was taken away from him, he would be counted as nothing.
7 Thou hast chosen me to be king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters.	7 You have chosen me to be a king of your people, and a judge of your sons and daughters.
8 And hast commanded me to build a temple on thy holy mount, and an altar in the city of thy dwelling place, a resemblance of thy holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning:	8 And you called me to construct a temple on your holy mount, and, in the city of your dwelling, an altar in the likeness of your holy tabernacle, which you have prepared from the beginning.
9 And thy wisdom with thee, which knoweth thy works, which then also was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was agreeable to thy eyes, and what was right in thy commandments.	9 And with you is wisdom, who is familiar with your works, and who was nearby when you made the world, and who knows what is pleasing to your eyes, and who is guided by your teachings.
10 Send her out of thy holy heaven, and from the throne of thy majesty, that she may be with me, and may labour with me, that I may know what is acceptable with thee:	10 Send her out of your holy heavens and from the throne of your majesty, so that she is with me and labors with me, and I will know what is acceptable with you.
11 For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and shall lead me soberly in my works, and shall preserve me by her power.	11 For she knows and understands all things, and will lead me soberly in my works, and will guard me by her power.
12 So shall my works be acceptable, and I shall govern thy people justly, and shall be worthy of the throne of my father.	12 And my works will be acceptable, and I will govern your people justly, and I will be worthy of the throne of my father.
13 For who among men is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of God is?	13 For who among men can know the counsel of God? Or who can imagine the will of God?
14 For the thoughts of mortal men are fearful, and our counsels uncertain.	14 For the thoughts of mortals are timid, and our foresight is uncertain.
15 For the corruptible body is a load upon the soul, and the earthly habitation presseth down the mind that museth upon many things.	15 For the corruptible body weighs down the soul, and this earthy dwelling presses many thoughts upon the mind.
16 And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth: and with labour do we find the things that are before us. But the things that are in heaven, who shall search out?	16 And we assess with difficulty the things that are of earth, and we discover with labor the things that are within our view. So who will search out the things that are in heaven?
17 And who shall know thy thought, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above:	17 Moreover, who will know your mind, unless you give wisdom and send your holy spirit from on high?
18 And so the ways of them that are upon earth may be corrected, and men may learn the things that please thee?	18 And in this way, those who are on earth are corrected in their path, and men learn the things that are pleasing to you.
19 For by wisdom they were healed, whosoever have pleased thee, O Lord, from the beginning.	19 For by wisdom they are saved, who have pleased you, O Lord, from the beginning.”