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I myself am also[a] mortal, like everyone else,
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I moulded into flesh in the time of ten months in my mother’s womb,
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I also, when I was born, drew in the common air,
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I was nursed with care in swaddling clothes.
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For no king had a different beginning,
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but all men have one entrance into life, and a common departure.
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For this cause I prayed, and understanding was given to me.
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I preferred her before sceptres and thrones.
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Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem,
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I loved her more than health and beauty,
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All good things came to me with her,
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And I rejoiced over them all because wisdom leads them;
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As I learnt without guile, I impart without grudging.
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For she is a treasure for men that doesn’t fail,
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But may God grant that I may speak his judgement,
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For both we and our words are in his hand,
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For he himself gave me an unerring knowledge of the things that are,
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the beginning, end, and middle of times;
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the circuits of years and the positions of stars;
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the natures of living creatures and the raging of wild beasts; the violence of[b] winds and the thoughts of men;
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All things that are either secret or manifest I learnt,
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for wisdom, that is the architect of all things, taught me.
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beneficent, loving towards man, steadfast, sure, free from care, all-powerful, all-surveying,
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For wisdom is more mobile than any motion.
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For she is a breath of the power of God,
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For she is a reflection of everlasting light,
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Although she is one, she has power to do all things.
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For God loves nothing as much as one who dwells with wisdom.
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For she is fairer than the sun,
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For daylight yields to night,