> [[wisdom-06|← Previous]] | [[wisdom-00|TOC]] | [[wisdom-08|Next →]] --- # Wisdom, Chapter 7 ## Chapter 7 ### Solomon Is Like All Others 1 I too am a mortal, the same as all the rest, ^wisdom-07-1 and a descendant of the first one formed of earth. And in my mother’s womb I was molded into flesh 2 in a ten-month period—body and blood, ^wisdom-07-2 from the seed of a man, and the pleasure that accompanies marriage. 3 And I too, when born, inhaled the common air, ^wisdom-07-3 and fell upon the kindred earth; wailing, I uttered that first sound common to all. 4 In swaddling clothes and with constant care I was nurtured. ^wisdom-07-4 5 For no king has any different origin or birth; ^wisdom-07-5 6 one is the entry into life for all, ^wisdom-07-6 and in one same way they leave it. ### Solomon Prayed and Wisdom and Riches Came to Him 7 Therefore I prayed, and prudence was given me; ^wisdom-07-7 I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her to scepter and throne, ^wisdom-07-8 And deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, 9 nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; ^wisdom-07-9 Because all gold, in view of her, is a bit of sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire. 10 Beyond health and beauty I loved her, ^wisdom-07-10 And I chose to have her rather than the light, because her radiance never ceases. 11 Yet all good things together came to me with her, ^wisdom-07-11 and countless riches at her hands; 12 I rejoiced in them all, because Wisdom is their leader, ^wisdom-07-12 though I had not known that she is their mother. ### Solomon Prays for Help to Speak Worthily of Wisdom her riches I do not hide away; 14 For she is an unfailing treasure; ^wisdom-07-14 those who gain this treasure win the friendship of God, being commended by the gifts that come from her discipline. 15 Now God grant I speak suitably ^wisdom-07-15 and value these endowments at their worth: For he is the guide of Wisdom and the director of the wise. 16 For both we and our words are in his hand, ^wisdom-07-16 as well as all prudence and knowledge of crafts. 17 For he gave me sound knowledge of what exists, ^wisdom-07-17 that I might know the structure of the universe and the force of its elements, 18 The beginning and the end and the midpoint of times, ^wisdom-07-18 the changes in the sun’s course and the variations of the seasons, 19 Cycles of years, positions of stars, ^wisdom-07-19 20 natures of living things, tempers of beasts, ^wisdom-07-20 Powers of the winds and thoughts of human beings, uses of plants and virtues of roots— 21 Whatever is hidden or plain I learned, ^wisdom-07-21 22 for Wisdom, the artisan of all, taught me. ^wisdom-07-22 ### Nature and Incomparable Dignity of Wisdom For in her is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, Manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unstained, certain, Never harmful, loving the good, keen, 23 unhampered, beneficent, kindly, ^wisdom-07-23 Firm, secure, tranquil, all-powerful, all-seeing, And pervading all spirits, though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle. 24 For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion, ^wisdom-07-24 and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity. 25 For she is a breath of the might of God ^wisdom-07-25 and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled can enter into her. 26 For she is the reflection of eternal light, ^wisdom-07-26 the spotless mirror of the power of God, the image of his goodness. 27 Although she is one, she can do all things, ^wisdom-07-27 and she renews everything while herself perduring; Passing into holy souls from age to age, she produces friends of God and prophets. 28 For God loves nothing so much as the one who dwells with Wisdom. ^wisdom-07-28 29 For she is fairer than the sun ^wisdom-07-29 and surpasses every constellation of the stars. Compared to light, she is found more radiant; 30 though night supplants light, ^wisdom-07-30 wickedness does not prevail over Wisdom. \* (7:1) First one formed of earth: Adam. The author omits throughout the book the proper names of the characters in sacred history of whom he speaks; see especially chap. [10]. \* (7:2) In a ten-month period: ten lunar months. \* (7:12) Mother: lit., “she who begets.” Although Wisdom herself is begotten of God ([Prv 8:22] – [24]), she is here the one who brings into being. \* (7:14) Discipline: cf. note on [1:5]. \* (7:17] – [22a) Wisdom teaches not only righteousness and friendship with God but also sound knowledge of the world, the universe, plants, animals and human beings. See also [1 Kgs 5:9] – [14]; these specialties reflect Hellenistic culture. \* (7:22b] – [23) The twenty-one (7 × 3) attributes of the spirit in Wisdom reflect the influence of contemporary philosophy, especially the Stoa, but the personification rests also on [Prv 8:22] – [31] and [Sir 24]. \* (7:25] – [26) Five strong metaphors underline the origins and closeness of Wisdom with God. See the use of this language in [Heb 1:3]; [Col 1:15]. a. (7:1] – [2) [Wis 10:1]; [Gn 2:7]; [Jb 10:9] – [12]; [33:6]; [1 Cor 15:47] – [49]. b. (7:6) [Jb 1:21]; ([[luke-02|Lk 2]]:12]; [1 Tm 6:7] – [8]. c. (7:7) [1 Kgs 3:5] – [15]; [Prv 2:3] – [11]. d. (7:8] – [9) ([[wisdom-08|Wis 8]]:5]; [[1-kings-10|1 Kgs 10]]:21; [Jb 28:15] – [19]; [Prv 3:14] – [16]; [8:10], [18] – [19]. e. (7:10) [Prv 6:23]. f. (7:11) [Prv 8:21]. g. (7:12) [Prv 8:14] – [15]. h. (7:13) ([[wisdom-06|Wis 6]]:23]. i. (7:16) ([[wisdom-03|Wis 3]]:1]. j. (7:22) [Wis 14:2]; [Prv 8:30]. k. (7:22] – [23) [Heb 4:12] – [13]; [Jas 3:17]. l. (7:24) ([[wisdom-08|Wis 8]]:1]. m. (7:26) ([[2-corinthians-04|2 Cor 4]]:4]; [Col 1:15]; [Heb 1:3]. n. (7:27) [Ex 33:11]; [Jb 42:2]; [Ps 104:29]; [Jl 3:1]. o. (7:29] – [30) [Sg 6:3], [9]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[wisdom-06|← Previous]] | [[wisdom-00|TOC]] | [[wisdom-08|Next →]]