Wisdom 8

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well.	1 Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily: and sweetly doth she order all things.
2 Her I loved and sought after from my youth; I sought to take her for my bride and was enamored of her beauty.	2 I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty.
3 She adds to nobility the splendor of companionship with God; even the LORD of all loved her.	3 In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility: yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her.
4 For she is instructress in the understanding of God, the selector of his works.	4 For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.
5 And if riches be a desirable possession in life, what is more rich than Wisdom, who produces all things?	5 If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?
6 And if prudence renders service, who in the world is a better craftsman than she?	6 And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she?
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.	7 And if a man love righteousness her labours are virtues: for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as en can have nothing more profitable in their life.
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.	8 If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old, and conjectureth aright what is to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.
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.	9 Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief.
10 For her sake I should have glory among the masses, and esteem from the elders, though I be but a youth.	10 For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the elders, though I be young.
11 I should become keen in judgment, and should be a marvel before rulers.	11 I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men.
12 They would abide my silence and attend my utterance; and as I spoke on further, they would place their hands upon their mouths.	12 When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth.
13 For her sake I should have immortality and leave to those after me an everlasting memory.	13 Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me.
14 I should govern peoples, and nations would be my subjects-	14 I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me.
15 terrible princes, hearing of me, would be afraid; in the assembly I should appear noble, and in war courageous.	15 Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.
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.	16 After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy.
17 Thinking thus within myself, and reflecting in my heart That there is immortality in kinship with Wisdom,	17 Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;
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.	18 And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to take her to me.
19 Now, I was a well-favored child, and I came by a noble nature;	19 For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.
20 or rather, being noble, I attained an unsullied body.	20 Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled.
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:	21 Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said,