Wisdom 7

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 I too am a mortal man, the same as all the rest, and a descendant of the first man formed on earth. And in my mother's womb I was molded into flesh	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,
2 in a ten-months' period-body and blood, from the seed of man, and the pleasure that accompanies marriage.	2 within the time of ten months, made of blood, from the seed of man and the delight of sleeping together.
3 And I too, when born, inhaled the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth; wailing, I uttered that first sound common to all.	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.
4 In swaddling clothes and with constant care I was nurtured.	4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes and with great care.
5 For no king has any different origin or birth,	5 For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.
6 but one is the entry into life for all; and in one same way they leave it.	6 Therefore, there is only one entrance for everyone into life, and the same in leaving.
7 Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.	7 Because of this, I chose, and understanding was given to me; and I prayed, and the spirit of wisdom came to me;
8 I preferred her to scepter and throne, And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,	8 and I placed her before kingdoms and thrones, and I considered riches nothing in comparison with her.
9 nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; Because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.	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.
10 Beyond health and comeliness I loved her, And I chose to have her rather than the light, because the splendor of her never yields to sleep.	10 I loved her above health and beauty, and I placed having her before light, for her light is unfailing.
11 Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands;	11 Yet all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable honors by her hand;
12 And I rejoiced in them all, because Wisdom is their leader, though I had not known that she is the mother of these.	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.
13 Simply I learned about her, and ungrudgingly do I share- her riches I do not hide away;	13 This I have learned without falsehood and communicate without envy, and her integrity I do not hide.
14 For to men she is an unfailing treasure; those who gain this treasure win the friendship of God, to whom the gifts they have from discipline commend them.	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.
15 Now God grant I speak suitably and value these endowments at their worth: For he is the guide of Wisdom and the director of the wise.	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.
16 For both we and our words are in his hand, as well as all prudence and knowledge of crafts.	16 For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the works of science, and instruction.
17 For he gave me sound knowledge of existing things, that I might know the organization of the universe and the force of its elements,	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,
18 The beginning and the end and the midpoint of times, the changes in the sun's course and the variations of the seasons.	18 the beginning and the end and the midpoint of the seasons, the characteristics of changing things, and the divisions of time,
19 Cycles of years, positions of the stars,	19 the courses of the years, and the orderly arrangement of the stars,
20 natures of animals, tempers of beasts, Powers of the winds and thoughts of men, uses of plants and virtues of roots-	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,
21 Such things as are hidden I learned and such as are plain;	21 and all such things as are hidden and unexpected, I have learned; for wisdom, the artisan of all things, taught me.
22 for Wisdom, the artificer of all, taught me. For in her is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, Manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, Not baneful, loving the good, keen, unhampered, beneficent,	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,
23 kindly, Firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, And pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.	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.
24 For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.	24 For wisdom is more active than all active things, yet she reaches everywhere because of her purity.
25 For she is an aura of the might of God and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.	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.
26 For she is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness.	26 Indeed, she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of the majesty of God, and the image of his goodness.
27 And she, who is one, can do all things, and renews everything while herself perduring; And passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets.	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.
28 For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.	28 For God loves none but those who dwell with wisdom.
29 For she is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars. Compared to light, she takes precedence;	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.
30 for that, indeed, night supplants, but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.	30 Indeed, after her comes night, but wisdom will not be overcome by malice.