Wisdom 8

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Strongly she reaches from one end of the world to the other and she governs the whole world for itsgood.	1 Thus, she reaches mightily from one end all the way to the other, and she orders all things sweetly.
2 Wisdom I loved and searched for from my youth; I resolved to have her as my bride, I fel in love withher 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 enhances her noble birth by sharing God's life, for the Master of Al has always loved her.	3 She glorifies her lineage by having companionship with God; yes and of all things, the Lord loves her.
4 Indeed, she shares the secrets of God's knowledge, and she chooses what he wil do.	4 For she teaches the teaching of God and is the chooser of his works.
5 If in this life wealth is a desirable possession, what is more wealthy than Wisdom whose work iseverywhere?	5 And if riches are longed for in life, what is richer than wisdom, which is being served in all things?
6 Or if it be the intel ect that is at work, who, more than she, designs whatever exists?	6 But if the mind is to be served, who, of all that exists, is a greater artisan than she?
7 Or if it be uprightness you love, why, virtues are the fruit of her labours, since it is she who teachestemperance and prudence, justice and fortitude; nothing in life is more useful for human beings.	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 if you are eager for wide experience, she knows the past, she forecasts the future; she knows how toturn maxims, and solve riddles; she has foreknowledge of signs and wonders, and of the unfolding of the agesand the times.	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 I therefore determined to take her to share my life, knowing that she would be my counsel or inprosperity and comfort me in cares and sorrow.	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 'Thanks to her, I shal be admired by the masses and honoured, though young, by the elders.	10 Because of her, I have clarity in the midst of confusion, and honor among the elders in my youth;
11 I shall be reckoned shrewd as a judge, and the great wil be amazed at me.	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 wil wait on my silences, and pay attention when I speak; if I speak at some length, they wil laytheir hand on their lips.	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 By means of her, immortality wil be mine, I shal leave an everlasting memory to my successors.	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 shall govern peoples, and nations wil be subject to me;	14 I will set the peoples in order, and nations will be subject to me.
15 at the sound of my name fearsome despots will be afraid; I shal show myself kind to the people andvaliant in battle.	15 Hearing me, terrible kings will be afraid; to the multitude, I will be seen as good and valiant in war.
16 'When I go home I shal take my ease with her, for nothing is bitter in her company, when life is sharedwith her there is no pain, nothing but pleasure and joy.'	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 Having meditated on al this, and having come to the conclusion that immortality resides in kinship withWisdom,	17 Thinking these things within myself, and recalling in my heart that immortality is the intention of wisdom,
18 noble contentment in her friendship, inexhaustible riches in her activities, understanding in cultivatingher society, and renown in conversing with her, I went al ways, seeking how to get her.	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 I was a boy of happy disposition, I had received a good soul as my lot,	19 For I was an ingenious boy and had been dealt a good soul.
20 or rather, being good, I had entered an undefiled body;	20 Even more so, being good, I came to have an undefiled body.
21 but, realising that I could never possess Wisdom unless God gave her to me, -a sign of intel igence initself, to know in whose gift she lay -- I prayed to the Lord and entreated him, and with all my heart I said:	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: