Wisdom 7

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
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,	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
2 within the time of ten months, made of blood, from the seed of man and the delight of sleeping together.	2 in a ten-months' period-body and blood, from the seed of man, and the pleasure that accompanies marriage.
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.	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.
4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes and with great care.	4 In swaddling clothes and with constant care I was nurtured.
5 For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.	5 For no king has any different origin or birth,
6 Therefore, there is only one entrance for everyone into life, and the same in leaving.	6 but one is the entry into life for all; and in one same way they leave it.
7 Because of this, I chose, and understanding was given to me; and I prayed, and the spirit of wisdom came to me;	7 Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me.
8 and I placed her before kingdoms and thrones, and I considered riches nothing in comparison with her.	8 I preferred her to scepter and throne, And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
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.	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.
10 I loved her above health and beauty, and I placed having her before light, for her light is unfailing.	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.
11 Yet all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable honors by her hand;	11 Yet all good things together came to me in her company, and countless riches at her hands;
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.	12 And I rejoiced in them all, because Wisdom is their leader, though I had not known that she is the mother of these.
13 This I have learned without falsehood and communicate without envy, and her integrity I do not hide.	13 Simply I learned about her, and ungrudgingly do I share- her riches I do not hide away;
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.	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.
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.	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.
16 For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the works of science, and instruction.	16 For both we and our words are in his hand, as well as all prudence and knowledge of crafts.
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,	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,
18 the beginning and the end and the midpoint of the seasons, the characteristics of changing things, and the divisions of time,	18 The beginning and the end and the midpoint of times, the changes in the sun's course and the variations of the seasons.
19 the courses of the years, and the orderly arrangement of the stars,	19 Cycles of years, positions of the stars,
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,	20 natures of animals, tempers of beasts, Powers of the winds and thoughts of men, uses of plants and virtues of roots-
21 and all such things as are hidden and unexpected, I have learned; for wisdom, the artisan of all things, taught me.	21 Such things as are hidden I learned and such as are plain;
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,	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,
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.	23 kindly, Firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, And pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.
24 For wisdom is more active than all active things, yet she reaches everywhere because of her purity.	24 For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.
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.	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.
26 Indeed, she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of the majesty of God, and the image of his goodness.	26 For she is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness.
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.	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.
28 For God loves none but those who dwell with wisdom.	28 For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.
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.	29 For she is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars. Compared to light, she takes precedence;
30 Indeed, after her comes night, but wisdom will not be overcome by malice.	30 for that, indeed, night supplants, but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.