| 9 | Wisdom of Solomon | ||
| 1 | "O God of my fathers and Lord of mercy, who have made all things by your word, | Solomon prays for Wisdom. Wis.9.1-18 | |
| 2 | and by your wisdom have formed man, to have dominion over the creatures you have made, | ||
| 3 | and rule the world in holiness and righteousness, and pronounce judgment in uprightness of soul, | ||
| 4 | give me the wisdom that sits by your throne, and do not reject me from among your servants. | ||
| 5 | For I am your slave and the son of your maidservant, a man who is weak and short-lived, with little understanding of judgment and laws; | ||
| 6 | for even if one is perfect among the sons of men, yet without the wisdom that comes from you he will be regarded as nothing. | ||
| 7 | You have chosen me to be king of your people and to be judge over your sons and daughters. | ||
| 8 | You have given command to build a temple on your holy mountain, and an altar in the city of your habitation, a copy of the holy tent which you prepared from the beginning. | ||
| 9 | With you is wisdom, who knows your works and was present when you made the world, and who understand what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments. | ||
| 10 | Send her forth from the holy heavens, and from the throne of your glory send her, that she may be with me and toil, and that I may learn what is pleasing to you. | ||
| 11 | For she knows and understands all things, and she will guide me wisely in my actions and guard me with her glory. | ||
| 12 | Then my works will be acceptable, and I shall judge your people justly, and shall be worthy of the throne of my father. | ||
| 13 | For what man can learn the counsel of God? Or who can discern what the Lord wills? | ||
| 14 | For the reasoning of mortals is worthless, and our designs are likely to fail, | ||
| 15 | for a perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind. | ||
| 16 | We can hardly guess at what is on earth, and what is at hand we find with labour; but who has traced out what is in the heavens? | ||
| 17 | Who has learned your counsel, unless you have given wisdom and sent your holy Spirit from on high? | ||
| 18 | And thus the paths of those on earth were set right, and men were taught what pleases you, and were saved by wisdom." | ||
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