7 1 I also am mortal, like all men,
a descendant of the first-formed child of earth;
and in the womb of a mother I was molded into flesh,
7 2 within the period of ten months, compacted with blood,
from the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage.
7 3 And when I was born, I began to breathe the common air,
and fell upon the kindred earth,
and my first sound was a cry, like that of all.
7 4 I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths.
7 5 For no king has had a different beginning of existence;
7 6 there is for all mankind one entrance into life, and a common departure.
7 7 Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
7 8 I preferred her to scepters and thrones,
and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.
7 9 Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem,
because all gold is but a little sand in her sight,
and silver will be accounted as clay before her.
7 10 I loved her more than health and beauty,
and I chose to have her rather than light,
because her radiance never ceases.
7 11 All good things came to me along with her,
and in her hands uncounted wealth.
7 12 I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom leads them;
but I did not know that she was their mother.
7 13 I learned without guile and I impart without grudging;
I do not hide her wealth,
7 14 for it is an unfailing treasure for men;
those who get it obtain friendship with God,
commended for the gifts that come from instruction.
7 15 May God grant that I speak with judgment
and have thought worthy of what I have received,
for he is the guide even of wisdom
and the corrector of the wise.
7 16 For both we and our words are in his hand,
as are all understanding and skill in crafts.
7 17 For it is he who gave me unerring knowledge of what exists,
to know the structure of the world and the activity of the elements;
7 18 the beginning and end and middle of times,
the alternations of the solstices and the changes of the seasons,
7 19 the cycles of the year and the constellations of the stars,
7 20 the natures of animals and the tempers of wild beasts,
the powers of spirits and the reasonings of men,
the varieties of plants and the virtues of roots;
7 21 I learned both what is secret and what is manifest,
for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me.
- The nature of Wisdom. Wis.7.22-8.1
7 22 For in her there is a spirit that is intelligent,
holy, unique, manifold,
subtle, mobile, clear,
unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible,