Wisdom 7

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 I too am mortal like everyone else, a descendant of the first man formed from the earth. I was model edin flesh inside a mother's womb,	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 where, for ten months, in blood I acquired substance -- the result of virile seed and pleasure, sleep'scompanion.	2 In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring.
3 I too, when I was born, drew in the common air, I fel on the same ground that bears us al , and cryingwas the first sound I made, like everyone else.	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 nurtured in swaddling clothes, with every care.	4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares.
5 No king has known any other beginning of existence;	5 For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.
6 for there is only one way into life, and one way out of it.	6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
7 And so I prayed, and understanding was given me; I entreated, 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 I esteemed her more than sceptres and thrones; compared with her, I held riches as nothing.	8 And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
9 I reckoned no precious stone to be her equal, for compared with her, al gold is a pinch of sand, andbeside her, silver ranks as mud.	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 more than health or beauty, preferred her to the light, since her radiance never sleeps.	10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out.
11 In her company al good things came to me, and at her hands incalculable wealth.	11 Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands,
12 All these delighted me, since Wisdom brings them, though I did not then realise that she was theirmother.	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 What I learned diligently, I shal pass on liberally, I shal not conceal how rich she is.	13 Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.
14 For she is to human beings an inexhaustible treasure, and those who acquire this win God'sfriendship, commended to him 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 May God grant me to speak as he would wish and conceive thoughts worthy of the gifts I havereceived, since he is both guide to Wisdom and director of sages;	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 we are in his hand, yes, ourselves and our sayings, and al intellectual and al practical knowledge.	16 For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.
17 He it was who gave me sure knowledge of what exists, to understand the structure of the world andthe action 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, end and middle of the times, the alternation of the solstices and the succession of theseasons,	18 The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,
19 the cycles of the year and the position of the stars,	19 The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars,
20 the natures of animals and the instincts of wild beasts, the powers of spirits and human mentalprocesses, the varieties of plants and the medical properties 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 now I understand everything, hidden or visible, for Wisdom, the designer of all things, hasinstructed 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 within her is a spirit intel igent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, incisive, unsul ied, lucid,invulnerable, benevolent, shrewd,	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 irresistible, beneficent, friendly to human beings, steadfast, dependable, unperturbed, almighty, al -surveying, penetrating al intel igent, pure and most subtle spirits.	23 Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits, intelligible, pure, subtile.
24 For Wisdom is quicker to move than any motion; she is so pure, she pervades and permeates allthings.	24 For wisdom is more active than all active things: and reacheth everywhere by reason of her purity.
25 She is a breath of the power of God, pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; so nothing impurecan find its way into 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 For she is a reflection of the eternal light, untarnished mirror of God's active power, and image of hisgoodness.	26 For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God's majesty, and the image of his goodness.
27 Although she is alone, she can do everything; herself unchanging, she renews the world, and,generation after generation, passing into holy souls, she makes them into God's friends and prophets;	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 only those who dwel with Wisdom.	28 For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.
29 She is indeed more splendid than the sun, she outshines al the constel ations; compared with light,she takes first place,	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 for light must yield to night, but against Wisdom evil cannot prevail.	30 For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom.