Wisdom of Solomon 8:9-21

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁹ Therefore I determined to take her to live with me,
knowing that she would give me good counsel
and encouragement in cares and grief.^(A)
10 Because of her I shall have glory among the multitudes
and honor in the presence of the elders, though I am young.^(B)
11 I shall be found keen in judgment,
and in the sight of rulers I shall be admired.^(C)
12 When I am silent they will wait for me,
and when I speak they will give heed;
if I speak at greater length,
they will put their hands on their mouths.^(D)
13 Because of her I shall have immortality
and leave an everlasting remembrance to those who come after me.^(E)
14 I shall govern peoples,
and nations will be subject to me;^(F)
15 dread monarchs will be afraid of me when they hear of me;
among the people I shall show myself capable and courageous in war.
¹⁶ When I enter my house, I shall find rest with her,
for companionship with her has no bitterness,
and life with her has no pain but gladness and joy.^(G)
17 When I considered these things inwardly
and pondered in my heart
that in kinship with wisdom there is immortality,^(H)
18 and in friendship with her, pure delight,
and in the labors of her hands, unfailing wealth,
and in the experience of her company, understanding,
and renown in sharing her words,
I went about seeking how to get her for myself.^(I)
19 As a child I was naturally gifted,
and a good soul fell to my lot,
²⁰ or rather, being good, I entered an undefiled body.
²¹ But I perceived that I would not possess wisdom unless God gave her to me—
and it was a mark of insight to know whose gift she was—
so I appealed to the Lord and implored him,
and with my whole heart I said,^(J)