The Wisdom of Solomon
Wisdom of Solomon 8
Chapter VIII · Vol. III, p. 1551
2 He is in love with wisdom: for he that hath it, hath every good thing. 21 It cannot be had but from God.
1 Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily: and 1sweetly doth she order all things.
1 Or, profitably.
2 I loved her, 2and sought her out from my youth: I desired 3to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty.
2 Prov. 2. 4.
3 Or, to marry her to myself.
3 In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility: yea, 4the Lord of all things himself loved her.
4 Ps. 45. 7.
4 For she is 5privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a 6lover of his works.
5 Or, teacher.
6 Or, chooser.
5 If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; 7what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?
6 And if 8prudence work; who of all that are, is a more cunning workman than she?
8 Ex. 31. 3, 6.
7 And if a man love righteousness, her labours are 9virtues, for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in their life.
8 If a man desire much {}experience, she knoweth things of old, and conjectureth aright* what is to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of †seasons and times.
9 Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she ‡would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief.
‡ Gr. will.
10 For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the ||elders, though I be young.
|| Ex. 24. 1.
11 I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men.
12 1When I hold my tongue, they shall abide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall 2lay their hands upon their mouth.
13 Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me.
15 Horrible tyrants shall be afraid when they do but hear of me: I shall 4be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.
4 Or, appear.
16 5After I have come into my house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy.
5 Or, being entered into my house.
17 Now, when I considered these things in myself, and 6pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;
6 Prov. 3. 3. & 6. 21. & 7. 3.
18 And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works of her hands are 7infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, 8a good report; I went about seeking how to 9take her to me.
19 For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.
20 Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled.