> [[wisdom-08|← Previous]] | [[wisdom-00|TOC]] | [[wisdom-10|Next →]] --- # Wisdom, Chapter 9 ## Chapter 9 ### Solomon’s Prayer 1 God of my ancestors, Lord of mercy, ^wisdom-09-1 you who have made all things by your word 2 And in your wisdom have established humankind ^wisdom-09-2 to rule the creatures produced by you, 3 And to govern the world in holiness and righteousness, ^wisdom-09-3 and to render judgment in integrity of heart: 4 Give me Wisdom, the consort at your throne, ^wisdom-09-4 and do not reject me from among your children; 5 For I am your servant, the child of your maidservant, ^wisdom-09-5 a man weak and short-lived and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws. 6 Indeed, though one be perfect among mortals, ^wisdom-09-6 if Wisdom, who comes from you, be lacking, that one will count for nothing. 7 You have chosen me king over your people ^wisdom-09-7 and magistrate over your sons and daughters. 8 You have bid me build a temple on your holy mountain ^wisdom-09-8 and an altar in the city that is your dwelling place, a copy of the holy tabernacle which you had established from of old. 9 Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works ^wisdom-09-9 and was present when you made the world; Who understands what is pleasing in your eyes and what is conformable with your commands. 10 Send her forth from your holy heavens ^wisdom-09-10 and from your glorious throne dispatch her That she may be with me and work with me, that I may know what is pleasing to you. 11 For she knows and understands all things, ^wisdom-09-11 and will guide me prudently in my affairs and safeguard me by her glory; 12 Thus my deeds will be acceptable, ^wisdom-09-12 and I will judge your people justly and be worthy of my father’s throne. 13 For who knows God’s counsel, ^wisdom-09-13 or who can conceive what the Lord intends? 14 For the deliberations of mortals are timid, ^wisdom-09-14 and uncertain our plans. 15 For the corruptible body burdens the soul ^wisdom-09-15 and the earthly tent weighs down the mind with its many concerns. 16 Scarcely can we guess the things on earth, ^wisdom-09-16 and only with difficulty grasp what is at hand; but things in heaven, who can search them out? 17 Or who can know your counsel, unless you give Wisdom ^wisdom-09-17 and send your holy spirit from on high? 18 Thus were the paths of those on earth made straight, ^wisdom-09-18 and people learned what pleases you, and were saved by Wisdom. \* (9:1] – [18) The author presents his version of Solomon’s prayer ([1 Kgs 3:6] – [9]; [2 Chr 1:8] – [10]). \* (9:1] – [2) The author identifies Wisdom with the word of God just as he again identifies Wisdom with the spirit of God in v. [17]. All three are alternate ways of expressing God’s activity in relationship with the world and its inhabitants. \* (9:15] – [17) Although the expressions in v. [15] draw on the language of Plato concerning the human condition, the conclusion is very biblical: God remains a mystery ([Jb 38] – [39]; [Eccl 8:17]; [Is 40:12] – [14]; [Rom 11:33] – [34]). The plight of humankind is clearly one of ignorance, unless the “holy spirit” is sent from God. \* (9:18) An announcement of the next section. a. (9:1] – [2) [Ps 86:15]. b. (9:1) [Gn 1]; [Ps 33:6]; [Prv 3:19]; [Jer 10:12]; ([[john-01|Jn 1]]:3], [10]. c. (9:2) ([[psalm-08|Ps 8]]:7] – [9]; [[sirach-17|Sir 17]]:3 – [4]. d. (9:3) [1 Kgs 3:6]; [9:4] – [5]; ([[psalm-09|Ps 9]]:8] – [9]. e. (9:4) [2 Chr 1:10]. f. (9:5) [1 Kgs 3:7]; [Ps 116:16]. g. (9:6) ([[wisdom-03|Wis 3]]:17]; [[1-kings-11|1 Kgs 11]]:4; ([[1-corinthians-03|1 Cor 3]]:18] – [21]. h. (9:7) [1 Chr 28:5]. i. (9:8) ([[exodus-25|Ex 25]]:8] – [9]; [2 Sm 7:13]; [1 Chr 28:5]; [2 Chr 6:1] – [2]; [7:7]; [Tb 1:4]; ([[psalm-15|Ps 15]]:1]; [48:2] – [3]. j. (9:9) [Dt 6:17] – [18]; [Prv 8:22] – [31]; ([[john-01|Jn 1]]:1] – [3], [10]. k. (9:10) [Wis 18:15]; ([[matthew-05|Mt 5]]:34]; [Jn 3:17]; [20:21]. l. (9:11) ([[wisdom-08|Wis 8]]:8]. m. (9:12) [1 Kgs 3:6] – [9]. n. (9:13) [Is 40:13]; ([[baruch-03|Bar 3]]:31]. o. (9:15) [Jb 4:19]. p. (9:16) [Sir 1:3]; [Jn 3:12]. q. (9:17) [Jn 14:26]. r. (9:18) [Wis 10:9]; [Prv 28:26]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[wisdom-08|← Previous]] | [[wisdom-00|TOC]] | [[wisdom-10|Next →]]