1 I myself am also mortal, like everyone else, and am a descendant of one formed first and born of the earth. (WEB) 2 I molded into flesh in the time of ten months in my mother’s womb, being compacted in blood from the seed of man and pleasure of marriage. (WEB) 3 I also, when I was born, drew in the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth, uttering, like all, for my first voice, the same cry. (WEB) 4 I was nursed with care in swaddling clothes. (WEB) 5 For no king had a different beginning, (WEB) 6 but all men have one entrance into life, and a common departure. (WEB) 7 For this cause I prayed, and understanding was given to me. I asked, and a spirit of wisdom came to me. (WEB) 8 I preferred her before sceptres and thrones. I considered riches nothing in comparison to her. (WEB) 9 Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold in her presence is a little sand, and silver will be considered as clay before her. (WEB) 10 I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her bright shining is never laid to sleep. (WEB) 11 All good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches are in her hands. (WEB) 12 And I rejoiced over them all because wisdom leads them; although I didn’t know that she was their mother. (WEB) 13 As I learned without guile, I impart without grudging. I don’t hide her riches. (WEB) 14 For she is a treasure for men that doesn’t fail, and those who use it obtain friendship with God, commended by the gifts which they present through discipline. (WEB) 15 But may God grant that I may speak his judgment, and to conceive thoughts worthy of what has been given me; because he is one who guides even wisdom and who corrects the wise. (WEB) 16 For both we and our words are in his hand, with all understanding and skill in various crafts. (WEB) 17 For he himself gave me an unerring knowledge of the things that are, to know the structure of the universe and the operation of the elements; (WEB) 18 the beginning, end, and middle of times; the alternations of the solstices and the changes of seasons; (WEB) 19 the circuits of years and the positions of stars; (WEB) 20 the natures of living creatures and the raging of wild beasts; the violence of winds and the thoughts of men; the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots. (WEB) 21 All things that are either secret or manifest I learned, (WEB) 22 for wisdom, that is the architect of all things, taught me. For there is in her a spirit that is quick to understand, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, freely moving, clear in utterance, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen, unhindered, (WEB) 23 beneficent, loving toward man, steadfast, sure, free from care, all-powerful, all-surveying, and penetrating through all spirits that are q… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 7:1–30
Semantically similar passages
Wisdom of Solomon 8:3–5
3 She glorifies her noble birth by living with God. The Sovereign Lord of all loves her. (WEB) 4 For she is initiated into the knowledge of God, and she chooses his works. (WEB) 5 But if riches are a desired possession in life, what is richer than wisdom, which makes all things? (WEB)
Sirach 24:17–19
17 Like the vine, I put forth grace. My flowers are the fruit of glory and riches. (WEB) 18 I am the mother of fair love, and fear, and knowledge, and holy hope: I therefore, being eternal, am given to all my children which are named of him. (KJV) 19 “Come to me, all you who desire… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 6:14–16
14 He who rises up early to seek her won’t have difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates. (WEB) 15 For to think upon her is perfection of understanding, and he who watches for her will quickly be free from care; (WEB) 16 because she herself goes around, seeking those w… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 9:10–12
10 Send her from the holy heavens, and ask her to come from the throne of your glory, that being present with me she may work, and I may learn what pleases you well. (WEB) 11 For she knows all things and understands, and she will guide me prudently in my actions. She will… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 15:2–4
2 For even if we sin, we are yours, knowing your dominion; but we will not sin, knowing that we have been accounted yours. (WEB) 3 For to be acquainted with you is perfect righteousness, and to know your dominion is the root of immortality. (WEB) 4 For we weren’t led astray by a… (WEB)
Sirach 43:8–10
8 The month is called after its name, increasing wonderfully in its changing— an instrument of the army on high, shining in the structure of heaven, (WEB) 9 the beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord. (WEB) 10 At the w… (WEB)
Sirach 6:21–23
21 She will rest upon him as a mighty stone of trial. He won’t hesitate to cast her from him. (WEB) 22 For wisdom is according to her name. She isn’t manifest to many. (WEB) 23 Give ear, my son, and accept my judgment. Don’t refuse my counsel. (WEB)
Baruch 3:31–33
31 There is no one who knows her way, nor any who comprehend her path. (WEB) 32 But he that knows all things knows her, he found her out with his understanding. He who prepared the earth for all time has filled it with four-footed beasts. (WEB) 33 It is he who sends forth the light… (WEB)
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