Wisdom of Solomon

O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word,

² And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made,

³ And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart:

⁴ Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children:

⁵ For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.

⁶ For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.

⁷ Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters:

⁸ Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning.

⁹ And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments.

¹⁰ O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto thee.

¹¹ For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power.

¹² So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father’s seat.

¹³ For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is?

¹⁴ For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain.

¹⁵ For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things.

¹⁶ And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out?

¹⁷ And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above?

¹⁸ For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom.