Wisdom 8:9-21

Common English Bible

⁹ For these reasons, I decided to bring her to live with me. I knew that she would be a good counselor. I knew that she would be able to offer me advice when there were concerns or suffering. ¹⁰ I knew that crowds would honor me because of her and that my elders would esteem me, even though I was just a young man. ¹¹ I knew that people would say that I had good judgment because of her. I knew that other leaders would admire me. ¹² I knew that they would wait for me to speak if I had not yet spoken, and that they would praise what I had said after I had spoken. I also knew that, if I did have more to say, they would put their hands over their mouths until I had finished speaking. ¹³ I knew that because of her, I would gain everlasting life and that I would leave behind an everlasting memorial for those who would come after me. ¹⁴ I knew that because of her, I would be able to govern nations and that the peoples of the world would obey me. ¹⁵ I knew that even terrible tyrants would fear me once they had heard me. I knew that the common people would see that I was a good king and a courageous warrior. ¹⁶ I knew that when I entered my house, she would be there, and I would be able to rest easy, for life with her is sweet. I knew that sharing my life with her would mean that I would live a pain-free life, one full of celebration and joy.

Solomon’s prayer for wisdom

¹⁷ I thought all these things to myself. I reflected on them in my heart. I thought: If immortality is to be found by becoming part of Wisdom’s family, ¹⁸ if dignified delight is to be found in being Wisdom’s friend, if unending wealth comes through the works of her hands, if practical intelligence comes through being well acquainted with her, if fame comes through conversing with her, then I will definitely make her mine. ¹⁹ I was a clever child and had been born with a dignified attitude— ²⁰ or, better said, because my soul was already dignified, it entered a spotless body.

²¹ But I knew that there was no way I could possess Wisdom unless God gave her to me (and to know this was also a mark of intelligence!). So I came before the Lord and pleaded with him. I said with all my heart: