Wisdom of Solomon 7:1-14

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

7 I also am mortal like everyone else,
a descendant of the first-formed child of earth,
and in the womb of a mother I was molded into flesh,^(A)
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;
my first sound was a cry, as is true of all.^(B)
4 I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths.^(C)
5 For no king has had a different beginning of existence;
⁶ there is for all one entrance into life and one way out.^(D)

⁷ Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.^(E)
8 I preferred her to scepters and thrones,
and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.^(F)
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.^(G)
10 I loved her more than health and beauty,
and I chose to have her rather than light
because her radiance never ceases.^(H)
11 All good things came to me along with her,
and in her hands uncounted wealth.^(I)
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,^(J)
14 for it is an unfailing treasure for mortals;
those who get it obtain friendship with God,
commended for the gifts that come from instruction.^(K)