Wisdom 9

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word,	1 God of my fathers, LORD of mercy. you who have made all things by your word
2 And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made,	2 And in your wisdom have established man to rule the creatures produced by you,
3 And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart:	3 To govern the world in holiness and justice, and to render judgment in integrity of heart:
4 Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children:	4 Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne, and reject me not from among your children;
5 For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.	5 For I am your servant, the son of your handmaid, a man weak and short-lived and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws.
6 For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.	6 Indeed, though one be perfect among the sons of men, if Wisdom, who comes from you, be not with him, he shall be held in no esteem.
7 Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters:	7 You have chosen me king over your people and magistrate for your sons and daughters.
8 Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning.	8 You have bid me build a temple on your holy mountain and an altar in the city that is your dwelling place, a copy of the holy tabernacle which you had established from of old.
9 And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments.	9 Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works and was present when you made the world; Who understands what is pleasing in your eyes and what is conformable with your commands.
10 O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto thee.	10 Send her forth from your holy heavens and from your glorious throne dispatch her That she may be with me and work with me, that I may know what is your pleasure.
11 For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power.	11 For she knows and understands all things, and will guide me discreetly in my affairs and safeguard me by her glory;
12 So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father's seat.	12 Thus my deeds will be acceptable, and I shall judge your people justly and be worthy of my father's throne.
13 For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is?	13 For what man knows God's counsel, or who can conceive what our LORD intends?
14 For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain.	14 For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans.
15 For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things.	15 For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.
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 hath searched out?	16 And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty; but when things are in heaven, who can search them out?
17 And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above?	17 Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given Wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?
18 For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom.	18 And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight, and men learned what was your pleasure, and were saved by Wisdom.