Solomon Speaks about Death

1 Like everyone else,

I am destined to die.

I too am a descendant

of that man who was made

from the soil of the earth.

And my body took shape

inside my mother's womb.

2For ten months I was there,

growing in her blood

from seed left by my father

as they were making love.

3And when I was born,

I breathed the same air as others

and touched the same earth.

Like all other children,

my first sound was a cry.

4I was nursed with love

and dressed in baby clothes.

5No rulers have their beginning

any differently--

6all enter life in the same way

and leave in the same way.

Solomon Praises Wisdom

7 I asked God for Wisdom

and for understanding,

and my prayer was answered.

8Nothing compares with Wisdom!

And so I chose her

over power and wealth.

9In comparison with Wisdom,

precious gems are nothing;

gold is merely sand,

and silver is simply clay.

10I preferred Wisdom more than

a healthy and handsome body;

the brightest light grows dim

when compared with her.

11Wisdom brought me wealth

and everything good.

12I was pleased with all

that she brought me,

though I failed to realize

that Wisdom was the source.

13I sincerely studied,

then freely shared the riches

I learned from Wisdom.

14Wisdom's treasures never end.

God approves of her,

and those who gain Wisdom

are friends of God.

Solomon Prays for Wisdom

15I pray that God will help me

to say the right thing

and to have thoughts

worthy of his gifts to me.

God shows Wisdom the way

and instructs wise people.

16Our lives and our words,

our understanding and skills

are all in the hands of God.

17From God came my knowledge

about the universe

and how its parts work;

18about the way a calendar

is determined;

about the movement of the sun

and the changing seasons;

19about the way the years

come and go on schedule;

about the groups of stars

20and the way animals behave,

both tame and wild;

about the motion of the wind

and the thoughts of humans;

about all kinds of plants

and the value of roots.

21I learned hidden mysteries

and things known to all,

22because I was taught by Wisdom,

who made everything.

Wisdom is both intelligent

and holy.

Though one of a kind,

she appears in many forms

and is a spiritual being

that moves freely about.

Wisdom is clear and pure,

spotless and innocent,

and she loves goodness.

Wisdom is sharp and victorious,

23generous, helpful, dependable,

and she never worries.

Wisdom is all-powerful;

she sees everything

and is ever present

with those who are intelligent,

pure, and truly spiritual.

24Wisdom moves more easily

than anything else

and is so pure that she is

everywhere at once.

25Wisdom is the breath

of God's power,

the true reflection of the glory

of God All-Powerful,

and so she cannot be touched

by anything impure.

26Wisdom is like a mirror

reflecting the eternal light

of God's deeds and goodness.

27Though Wisdom is and remains

only one being,

she can do anything

and she renews all things.

In each generation she enters

the souls of the faithful,

making them into prophets

and friends of God,

28since God's favorite people

are those who live with her.

29Wisdom is more beautiful than

the sun and the stars.

She is far superior to daylight,

30because it turns to darkness,

but she cannot be changed

by the power of evil.