Wisdom is radiant and unfading and is easily perceived by those who love her;
for she is found by those who seek her…
He who rises early in the morning to seek her will not grow weary, for he will find her sitting at his gates.
For to think deeply about her is the perfection of discernment,
and he who keeps watch for her will soon be free from worry;
because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,
and she appears to them favorably in their paths and meets them in every thought.
For the beginning of wisdom is a very genuine desire for instruction,
and careful attention to instruction is the love of her.
Now this love is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is the assurance of incorruption;
and incorruption brings one near to God.
So desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom…
May God grant me to speak according to His purpose and to think worthily of what I was given,
for He is also the guide of wisdom and the corrector of the wise.
For both we and our words are in His hand, and so are all insights and knowledge of handicrafts.
For He gives me knowledge of the things that exist:
To know the truthful structure of the world,
the operative power of its elementary principles,
the beginning, end, and middle of the times,
the changes of the solstices and the transitions of the seasons,
the cycles of the year and the arranging of the stars,
the natures of animals and the tempers of beasts,
the force of winds and the reasoning of mankind,
the distinction of plants and the strength of roots,
and to know whatever is hidden and whatever is visible.
For wisdom, the artisan of all things, taught me.
So in herself, wisdom is a spirit that is rational, holy, only-begotten, manifold, subtle, easily moved, clear,
undefiled, manifest, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen, unhindered, beneficent, man-loving,
steadfast, unfailing, free from worry, all-powerful, all-surveying,
and penetrating all spirits that are rational, pure, and most subtle.
For wisdom moves from one place to another more easily than motion itself,
and because of her purity, she penetrates all things.
So she is the exhalation of the power of God and the emanation of the pure glory of the Almighty;
therefore nothing defiled enters her.
For she is the radiance of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the operative power of God and the image of His goodness.
Though she is one, she can do all things; so while remaining in herself, she renews all things;
and in every generation, she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God and prophets.
Thus God loves nothing as much as the one who lives with wisdom.
For wisdom is more beautiful than the sun and more than every constellation of stars.
Compared with light she is found to be superior,
for night succeeds the light, but evil cannot overcome wisdom.
(Wisdom of Solomon, 6:12 – 7:30)
