Wisdom 8

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well.	1 Thus, she reaches mightily from one end all the way to the other, and she orders all things sweetly.
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 have loved her and searched for her from my youth, and have asked to take her to me as my spouse, and I became a lover of her form.
3 She adds to nobility the splendor of companionship with God; even the LORD of all loved her.	3 She glorifies her lineage by having companionship with God; yes and of all things, the Lord loves her.
4 For she is instructress in the understanding of God, the selector of his works.	4 For she teaches the teaching of God and is the chooser of his works.
5 And if riches be a desirable possession in life, what is more rich than Wisdom, who produces all things?	5 And if riches are longed for in life, what is richer than wisdom, which is being served in all things?
6 And if prudence renders service, who in the world is a better craftsman than she?	6 But if the mind is to be served, who, of all that exists, is a greater artisan 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 anyone loves justice, her labors hold great virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice and virtue, and nothing is more useful in human 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 And if one desires a multitude of knowledge, she knows the past and forecasts the future; she knows the subtleties of conversation and the response to arguments; she understands the signs and portents, before the events take place, events both of the present time and of future ages.
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 resolved to take her to me to live together, knowing that she will be a good counselor and will console my thoughts and my weariness.
10 For her sake I should have glory among the masses, and esteem from the elders, though I be but a youth.	10 Because of her, I have clarity in the midst of confusion, and honor among the elders in my youth;
11 I should become keen in judgment, and should be a marvel before rulers.	11 and I will be found to be astute in judgment, and will be admired in the sight of the mighty, and the faces of leaders will wonder at me.
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 am silent, they will wait for me; when I speak, they will respect me; and when I talk for too long, they will put their hands on their mouths.
13 For her sake I should have immortality and leave to those after me an everlasting memory.	13 Thus, by means of her, I will have immortality, and I will bequeath an everlasting memorial to those who come after me.
14 I should govern peoples, and nations would be my subjects-	14 I will set the peoples in order, and nations will be subject to me.
15 terrible princes, hearing of me, would be afraid; in the assembly I should appear noble, and in war courageous.	15 Hearing me, terrible kings will be afraid; to the multitude, I will be seen as good 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 When I go into my house, I will repose myself with her, for her conversation has no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness, but only joy and gladness.
17 Thinking thus within myself, and reflecting in my heart That there is immortality in kinship with Wisdom,	17 Thinking these things within myself, and recalling in my heart that immortality is the intention of wisdom,
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 that in her friendship is good enjoyment, and in the works of her hands are honors without flaw, and in debate with her is understanding, and glory in sharing conversation with her; I went about seeking, so that I might take her to myself.
19 Now, I was a well-favored child, and I came by a noble nature;	19 For I was an ingenious boy and had been dealt a good soul.
20 or rather, being noble, I attained an unsullied body.	20 Even more so, being good, I came to have an undefiled body.
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 And since I know that it is not possible to be chaste except as a gift from God, and that it is a point of wisdom to know whose gift it is, I approached the Lord, and I besought him, and I said with my whole heart: