Wisdom 8

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 She reacheth therefore from end to end mightily, and ordereth all things sweetly.	1 Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well.
2 Her have I loved, and have sought her out from my youth, and have desired to take her for my spouse, and I became a lover of her beauty.	2 Her I loved and sought after from my youth; I sought to take her for my bride and was enamored of her beauty.
3 She glorifieth her nobility by being conversant with God: yea and the Lord of all things hath loved her.	3 She adds to nobility the splendor of companionship with God; even the LORD of all loved her.
4 For it is she that teacheth the knowledge of God, and is the chooser of his works.	4 For she is instructress in the understanding of God, the selector of his works.
5 And if riches be desired in life, what is richer than wisdom, which maketh all things?	5 And if riches be a desirable possession in life, what is more rich than Wisdom, who produces all things?
6 And if sense do work: who is a more artful worker than she of those things that are?	6 And if prudence renders service, who in the world is a better craftsman than she?
7 And if a man love justice: her labours have great virtues; for she teacheth temperance, and prudence, anad justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life.	7 Or if one loves justice, the fruits of her works are virtues; For she teaches moderation and prudence, justice and fortitude, and nothing in life is more useful for men than these.
8 And if a man desire much knowledge: she knoweth things past, and judgeth of things to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and the solutions of arguments: she knoweth signs and wonders before they be done, and the events of times and ages.	8 Or again, if one yearns for copious learning, she knows the things of old, and infers those yet to come. She understands the turns of phrases and the solutions of riddles; signs and wonders she knows in advance and the outcome of times and ages.
9 I purposed therefore to take her to me to live with me: knowing that she will communicate to me of her good things, and will be a comfort in my cares and grief.	9 So I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she would be my counselor while all was well, and my comfort in care and grief.
10 For her sake I shall have glory among the multitude, and honour with the ancients, though I be young:	10 For her sake I should have glory among the masses, and esteem from the elders, though I be but a youth.
11 And I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of the mighty, and the faces of princes shall wonder at me.	11 I should become keen in judgment, and should be a marvel before rulers.
12 They shall wait for me when I hold my peace, and they shall look upon me when I speak, and if I talk much they shall lay their hands on their mouths.	12 They would abide my silence and attend my utterance; and as I spoke on further, they would place their hands upon their mouths.
13 Moreover by the means of her I shall have immortality: and shall leave behind me an everlasting memory to them that come after me.	13 For her sake I should have immortality and leave to those after me an everlasting memory.
14 I shall set the people in order: and nations shall be subject to me.	14 I should govern peoples, and nations would be my subjects-
15 Terrible kings hearing shall be afraid of me: among the multitude I shall be found good, and valiant in war.	15 terrible princes, hearing of me, would be afraid; in the assembly I should appear noble, and in war courageous.
16 When I go into my house, I shall repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness, but joy and gladness.	16 Within my dwelling, I should take my repose beside her; For association with her involves no bitterness and living with her no grief, but rather joy and gladness.
17 Thinking these things with myself, and pondering them in my heart, that to be allied to wisdom is immortality,	17 Thinking thus within myself, and reflecting in my heart That there is immortality in kinship with Wisdom,
18 And that there is great delight in her friendship, and inexhaustible riches in the works of her hands, and in the exercise of conference with her, wisdom, and glory in the communication of her words: I went about seeking, that I might take her to myself.	18 and good pleasure in her friendship, and unfailing riches in the works of her hands, And that in frequenting her society there is prudence, and fair renown in sharing her discourses, I went about seeking to take her for my own.
19 And I was a witty child and had received a good soul.	19 Now, I was a well-favored child, and I came by a noble nature;
20 And whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled.	20 or rather, being noble, I attained an unsullied body.
21 And as I knew that I could not otherwise be continent, except God gave it, and this also was a point of wisdom, to know whose gift it was: I went to the Lord, and besought him, and said with my whole heart:	21 And knowing that I could not otherwise possess her except God gave it-- and this, too, was prudence, to know whose is the gift-- I went to the LORD and besought him, and said with all my heart: