Wisdom is glorious, and never fades away; yes, she is easily seen by those who love her, and found by such as seek her. She pursues those who desire her, by making herself first known to them. Whoever seeks her early shall have no great travail; for he shall find her sitting at his doors.
Therefore to think about her is perfection of wisdom: and whoever watches for her shall quickly be without a care. For she goes about seeking such as are worthy of her, showing herself favorably to those in the ways, and meets them in every thought.
For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love; And love is the keeping of her laws; and the paying heed to her laws is the assurance of incorruption; And incorruption makes us close to God: Therefore the desire for wisdom brings welfare to a kingdom. If your delight, is then, in thrones and scepters, O you kings of the people, honor wisdom, that you may reign for evermore.
As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into the light, and will not pass over the truth. Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom. But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people. Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good.
Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given to me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her before scepters and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison to her. Neither did I compare her to any precious stone, because all gold in comparison to her is as just a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for the light that comes from her never goes out. All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands. And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goes before them: and I did not know that she was the mother of them.
I learned diligently, and communicate her liberally: I do not hide her riches. For she is a treasure to men that never fails: which, they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning.
God has granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is meet from the things that are given me: because it is he that leads to wisdom, and directs the wise. For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship.
And all such things as are either secret or manifest, these I know. For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding holy spirit, one only, manifold, subtle lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the things that are good, who cannot be bought or hired, always ready to perform good works, Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtle, spirits.
For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she comes and goes through all things by reason of her pureness. For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her. For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness. And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she makes all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she makes them friends of God, and prophets. For God loves none but he that resides with wisdom.
For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it. For after this comes night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom. Wisdom reaches from one end to another mightily: and sweetly does she order all things.
I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty. In that she is conversant with God, she magnifies her nobility: yes, the Lord of all things himself loved her. For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.
If riches are a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that works all things? And if prudence works; who, out of all those that exist, is a more cunning workman than her? And if a man loves righteousness her labours are virtues: for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, that men can find nothing more profitable in their life. If a man desires much experience, she knows the things of old, and conjectures rightly what is to come: she know the subtleties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foresees signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.
Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counselor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief. For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honor with the elders, though I am young. I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men. When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall listen intently to me: if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth.
Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to those that come after me. I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject to me. Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.
After I have come into my house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation has no bitterness; and to live with her has no sorrow, but mirth and joy.
Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how, that to be allied to wisdom is immortality; And a great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to join her to me.
For I, your servant and son of your handmaid, am a feeble person, and of a short duration, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws. For though a man can never be so perfect among the children of men, yet if your wisdom is not with him, he shall be regarded as nothing.
You have chosen me to be a king of your people, and a judge of your sons and daughters. For she knows and understands all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my actions, and preserve me in her power. So my works shall be acceptable, and then shall I judge your people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father's seat. For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is?
For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain. For the corruptible body presses down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weighs down the mind that muses upon many things. And hardly do we guess rightly at things that are upon earth, and with labor do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who has searched out? For by this means the ways of those who lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing to you, and were saved through wisdom.
For he who is Lord over all shall fear no man's person, neither shall he stand in awe of any man's greatness: for he has made the small and great, and cares for all alike. But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty. To you therefore, O kings, I do speak, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall away. For those who keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and those who have learned such things shall find what to answer. Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and you shall be instructed.
