The Wisdom of Solomon
Wisdom of Solomon 7
Chapter VII · Vol. III, pp. 1550–1551
1 All men have their beginning and end alike: he preferred wisdom before all things else. 15 God gave him all the knowledge which he had. 22 The praise of wisdom.
1 I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring of him 1that was first made of the earth,
1 Gen. 2. 7.
2 And in my mother's womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months, 2being compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure that came with sleep.
2 Job 10. 10.
3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.
5 For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth.
6 4For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
4 Job 1. 21. 1 Tim. 6. 7.
7 5Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
8 I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
9 Neither compared I unto her any 6precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her.
6 Gr. stone of inestimable price. Prov. 3. 14, 15.
10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for the light that cometh from her never goeth out.
12 And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goeth before them: and I knew not that she was the mother of them.
13 I learned 8diligently, and do communicate her 9liberally: I do not hide her riches.
8 Gr. without guile.
9 Gr. without envy.
14 For she is a treasure unto men, that never faileth: which they that *use become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning.
* Or, enter friendship with God.
15 †God hath granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is meet for the things that ‡are given me: because it is he that leadeth unto wisdom, and directeth the wise.
† Or, God grant.
‡ Or, are to be spoken of.
16 For in his hand are both we and our words; ||all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship.
|| Col. 2. 3.
17 For he hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how 1the world was made, and the operation of the elements:
1 Heb. 11. 3.
18 The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turnings of the sun, and 2the change of seasons:
2 Gen. 8. 22.
20 The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts: the violence of winds, and the reasonings of men: the diversities of plants, and the virtues of roots:
21 And all such things as are 4either secret or manifest, them I know.
4 Deut. 29. 29.
22 For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit, holy, 5one only, manifold, subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good, quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do good,
5 Gr. only begotten. John 1. 18.
23 6Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure and most subtil spirits.
6 Ps. 8. 4. & 144. 3.
24 For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness.
25 For she is the 7breath of the power of God, and a pure 8influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her.
7 Or, vapour.
8 Or, stream.
26 For she is the 9brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and *the image of his goodness.
27 And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she †maketh all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets.
† Or, createth. Rev. 21. 5.
29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.
30 For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom.