King Solomon - Wisdom of Solomon (Wis. 7) lyrics

[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, [2] within the period of ten months, compacted with blood, from the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage. [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. [4] I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths. [5] For no king has had a different beginning of existence; [6] there is for all mankind one entrance into life, and a common departure. [7] Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. [8] I preferred her to scepters and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her. [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. [10] I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her radiance never ceases. [11] All good things came to me along with her, and in her hands uncounted wealth. [12] I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom leads them; but I did not know that she was their mother. [13] I learned without guile and I impart without grudging; I do not hide her wealth, [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. [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. [16] For both we and our words are in his hand, as are all understanding and sk** in crafts. [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; [18] the beginning and end and middle of times, the alternations of the solstices and the changes of the seasons, [19] the cycles of the year and the constellations of the stars, [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; [21] I learned both what is secret and what is manifest, [22] for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. For in her there is a spirit that is intelligent, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, [23] beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle. [24] For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things. [25] For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. [26] For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. [27] Though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she pa**es into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets; [28] for God loves nothing so much as the man who lives with wisdom. [29] For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, [30] for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail.