1 Now I also am a mortal, the same as all men, And earthborn, a descendant of the first-formed man; For in the womb of a mother I was engraved as flesh.
2 In a period of ten months, I was constructed with blood From the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage.
3 When I was born, I breathed the common air, Then fell upon the earth the same as all; And as my first sound, I cried like every one else.
4 I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths.
5 Thus no king had a different beginning of existence,
6 For there is one entrance into life for all, And a common departure.
7 Therefore I prayed, and discernment was given to me; I appealed to God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
8 I preferred her to scepter and thrones, And regarded wealth as nothing in comparison to her.
9 Nor did I liken her to any priceless stone, Because all gold is only a little sand in her sight. And silver will be counted as clay before her.
10 I loved her more than health and beauty, And I chose her instead of light, Because her light is sleepless.
11 All good things came to me together with her, And in her hands countless wealth.
12 I was gladdened by all of them Because wisdom rules them; But I did not know she was their mother.
13 So I learned both honestly and ungrudgingly, And I do not hide her wealth,
14 For it is an unfailing treasure for men who, when they get it, obtain friendship with God, For they demonstrate her gifts that come from instruction.
15 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.
16 For both we and our words are in His hand, And so are all insights and knowledge of handicrafts.
17 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,
18 The beginning, end, and middle of the times, The changes of the solstices and the transitions of the seasons,
19 The cycles of the year and the arranging of the stars,
20 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,
21 And to know whatever is hidden and whatever is visible. For wisdom, the artisan of all things, taught me.
22 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,
23 Unhindered, beneficent, man-loving, steadfast, unfailing, free from worry, all-powerful, all-surveying, and penetrating all spirits that are rational, pure, and most subtle.
24 For wisdom moves from one place to another More easily than motion itself, And because of her purity, she penetrates all things.
25 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.
26 For she is the radiance of eternal light, A spotless mirror of the operative power of God And the image of His goodness.
27 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.
28 Thus God loves nothing as much As the one who lives with wisdom.
29 For wisdom is more beautiful than the sun And more than every constellation of stars. Compared with light she is found to be superior,
30 For night succeeds the light, But evil cannot overcome wisdom.