Wisdom 9

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 “God of my fathers and Lord of mercy, who has made all things with your word,	1 God of my fathers, LORD of mercy. you who have made all things by your word
2 and by your wisdom has established man to have dominion over the creatures which have been made by you,	2 And in your wisdom have established man to rule the creatures produced by you,
3 so that he would order the world in equity and justice, and execute judgment with an upright heart,	3 To govern the world in holiness and justice, and to render judgment in integrity of heart:
4 give me wisdom, the handmaiden at your throne, and be unwilling to reject me from among your children,	4 Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne, and reject me not from among your children;
5 because I am your servant, and the son of your handmaid, a weak man, and short-lived, with limited understanding of judgment and laws.	5 For I am your servant, the son of your handmaid, a man weak and short-lived and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws.
6 And if someone were perfect among the sons of men, yet if your wisdom was taken away from him, he would be counted as nothing.	6 Indeed, though one be perfect among the sons of men, if Wisdom, who comes from you, be not with him, he shall be held in no esteem.
7 You have chosen me to be a king of your people, and a judge of your sons and daughters.	7 You have chosen me king over your people and magistrate for your sons and daughters.
8 And you called me to construct a temple on your holy mount, and, in the city of your dwelling, an altar in the likeness of your holy tabernacle, which you have prepared from the beginning.	8 You have bid me build a temple on your holy mountain and an altar in the city that is your dwelling place, a copy of the holy tabernacle which you had established from of old.
9 And with you is wisdom, who is familiar with your works, and who was nearby when you made the world, and who knows what is pleasing to your eyes, and who is guided by your teachings.	9 Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works and was present when you made the world; Who understands what is pleasing in your eyes and what is conformable with your commands.
10 Send her out of your holy heavens and from the throne of your majesty, so that she is with me and labors with me, and I will know what is acceptable with you.	10 Send her forth from your holy heavens and from your glorious throne dispatch her That she may be with me and work with me, that I may know what is your pleasure.
11 For she knows and understands all things, and will lead me soberly in my works, and will guard me by her power.	11 For she knows and understands all things, and will guide me discreetly in my affairs and safeguard me by her glory;
12 And my works will be acceptable, and I will govern your people justly, and I will be worthy of the throne of my father.	12 Thus my deeds will be acceptable, and I shall judge your people justly and be worthy of my father's throne.
13 For who among men can know the counsel of God? Or who can imagine the will of God?	13 For what man knows God's counsel, or who can conceive what our LORD intends?
14 For the thoughts of mortals are timid, and our foresight is uncertain.	14 For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans.
15 For the corruptible body weighs down the soul, and this earthy dwelling presses many thoughts upon the mind.	15 For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns.
16 And we assess with difficulty the things that are of earth, and we discover with labor the things that are within our view. So who will search out the things that are in heaven?	16 And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty; but when things are in heaven, who can search them out?
17 Moreover, who will know your mind, unless you give wisdom and send your holy spirit from on high?	17 Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given Wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?
18 And in this way, those who are on earth are corrected in their path, and men learn the things that are pleasing to you.	18 And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight, and men learned what was your pleasure, and were saved by Wisdom.
19 For by wisdom they are saved, who have pleased you, O Lord, from the beginning.”