Wisdom 8 • Wisdom as companion and gift — Greek text and reception

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She reaches mightily from one end to the other

and governs all things well.

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I loved her and sought her out from my youth,

and sought to take her as my bride,

and became a lover of her beauty.

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She glorifies her noble birth by sharing life with God,

and the Master of all loved her;

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for she is initiated into God’s knowledge

and is a chooser of His works.

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If wealth is a desirable possession in life,

what is richer than wisdom, who works all things?

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And if understanding accomplishes things,

who among existing beings is more skilled than she?

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And if anyone loves righteousness,

her labors are virtues;

for she teaches self-control and understanding,

righteousness and courage,

than which nothing in life is more useful for human beings.

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And if anyone longs for wide experience,

she knows ancient things and infers what is to come;

she understands turns of speech and solutions of riddles;

she knows signs and wonders beforehand,

and the outcomes of seasons and times.

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Therefore I decided to take her to live with me,

knowing that she would be a counselor of good things to me

and encouragement amid cares and sorrow.

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Through her I will have glory among the crowds,

and, though young, honor among elders.

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I will be found keen in judgment

and will be admired in the sight of rulers.

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When I am silent they will wait for me, and when I speak they will pay attention;

if I speak at length,

they will place a hand upon their mouth.

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Through her I will have immortality,

and will leave an everlasting remembrance to those after me.

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I will govern peoples, and nations will be subjected to me.

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Terrifying rulers will fear me when they hear of me;

among the multitude I will appear good, and in war courageous.

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When I enter my house, I will rest beside her;

for companionship with her has no bitterness,

and life with her no anguish,

but gladness and joy.

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Having reasoned these things within myself

and considered in my heart

that immortality is in kinship with wisdom,

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and in friendship with her is good delight,

and in the labors of her hands unfailing wealth,

and in the shared exercise of companionship with her understanding,

and in sharing her words good renown,

I went about seeking how to take her to myself.

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I was a naturally gifted child,

and received a good soul as my lot;

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or rather, being good, I came into an undefiled body.

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But knowing that I could not otherwise gain possession of her unless God gave her—

and this too was understanding: to know whose gift it was—

I appealed to the Lord and petitioned Him,

and said with my whole heart: