Part 425 (2/2)

7:21. And all such things as are hid, and not foreseen, I have learned: for wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me.

7:22. For in her is the spirit of understanding; holy, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent,

7:23. Gentle, kind, steadfast, a.s.sured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits: intelligible, pure, subtile:

7:24. For wisdom is more active than all active things; and reacheth everywhere, by reason of her purity.

7:25. For she is a vapour of the power of G.o.d, and a certain pure emmanation of the glory of the Almighty G.o.d: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her.

7:26. For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of G.o.d's majesty, and the image of his goodness.

7:27. And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of G.o.d and prophets.

7:28. For G.o.d loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.

7:29. For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of the stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.

7:30. For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom.

Wisdom Chapter 8

Further praises of wisdom: and her fruits.

8:1. She reacheth, therefore, from end to end mightily, and ordereth all things sweetly.

8:2. Her have I loved, and have sought her out from my youth, and have desired to take for my spouse, and I became a lover of her beauty.

8:3. She glorifieth her n.o.bility by being conversant with G.o.d: yea, and the Lord of all things hath loved her.

8:4. For it is she that teacheth the knowledge of G.o.d and is the chooser of his works.

8:5. And if riches be desired in life, what is richer than wisdom, which maketh all things?

8:6. And if sense do work: who is a more artful worker than she of those things that are?

8:7. And if a man love justice: her labours have great virtues: for she teacheth temperance, and prudence, and justice, and fort.i.tude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life.

8:8. And if a man desire much knowledge: she knoweth things past, and judgeth of things to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and the solutions of arguments: she knoweth signs and wonders before they be done, and the events of times and ages.

8:9. I purposed, therefore, to take her to me to live with me: knowing that she will communicate to me of her good things, and will be a comfort in my cares and grief.

8:10. For her sake I shall have glory among the mult.i.tude, and honour with the ancients, though I be young:

8:11. And I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of the mighty, and the faces of princes shall wonder at me.

8:12. They shall wait for me when I hold my peace, and they shall look upon me when I speak; and if I talk much, they shall lay their hands on their mouth.

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