[1] I myself also am mortal, like to all, And am sprung from one born of the earth,the man first formed,
[2] And in the womb of a mother was I moulded into flesh in the time of ten months, Being compacted in blood of the seed of man and pleasure that came with sleep.
[3] And 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 selfsame wail:
[4] In swaddling clothes was I nursed, and withwatchful cares.
[5] For no king had any other first beginning;
[6] But all men have one entrance into life, and a like departure.
[7] For this cause I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called uponGod, and there came to me a spirit of wisdom.
[8] I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, And riches I esteemed nothing in comparison of her.
[9] Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, Because all the goldof the earth in her presence is a little sand, And silver shall be accounted as clay before her.
[10] Above health and comeliness I loved her, And I chose to have her rather than light, Because her bright shining is never laid to sleep.
[11] But with her there came to me all good things together, And in her hands innumerable riches:
[12] And I rejoiced overthem all because wisdom leads them; Though I knew not that she was the mother of them.
[13] As I learned without guile, I impart without grudging; I do not hide her riches.
[14] For she is to men a treasure that fails not, And they that use it obtain friendship with God, Commendedto him by the gifts which they through discipline presentto him.
[15] But to me may God give to speak with judgement, And to conceive thoughts worthy of what has been givenme; Because himself is one that guideth even wisdom and that correcteth the wise.
[16] For in his hand are both we and our words; All understanding, andall acquaintance with various crafts.
[17] For himself gave me an unerring knowledge of the things that are, To know the constitution of the world, and the operation of the elements;
[18] The beginning and end and middle of times, The alternations of the solstices and the changes of seasons,
[19] The circuits of years and the positions of stars;
[20] The natures of living creatures and the ragings of wild beasts, The violences of winds and the thoughts of men, The diversities of plants and the virtues of roots:
[21] All things that are either secret or manifest I learned,
[22] For she that is the artificer of all things taught me,even wisdom. For there is in her a spirit quick of understanding, holy, Alone in kind, manifold, Subtil, freely moving, Clear in utterance, unpolluted, Distinct, unharmed, Loving what is good, keen, unhindered,
[23] Beneficent, loving toward man, Stedfast, sure, free from care, All-powerful, all-surveying, And penetrating through all spirits That are quick of understanding, pure, most subtil:
[24] For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; Yes, she pervadeth and penetrateth all things by reason of her pureness.
[25] For she is a breath of the power of God, And a clear effluence of the glory of the Almighty; Therefore can nothing defiled find entrance into her.
[26] For she is an effulgence from everlasting light, And an unspotted mirror of the working of God, And an image of his goodness.
[27] And she, being one, has power to do all things; And remaining in herself, reneweth all things: And from generation to generation passing into holy souls She makesmen friends of God and prophets.
[28] For nothing does God love save him that dwells with wisdom.
[29] For she is fairer than the sun, And above all the constellations of the stars: Being compared with light, she is foundto be before it;
[30] For to the lightof day succeedeth night, But against wisdom evil does not prevail;