1 I also certes am a mortal man, like to all, and of the earthly kindred of him that was made first, and in the womb of my mother was I fashioned flesh,
1 I myself am a mortal man, like all others, and of the race of him, that was first made of the earth, and in the womb of my mother I was fashioned to be flesh.
2 the time of ten months was I brought together in blood, of the seed of man, and the delectation of sleep concurring.
2 In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, ¹and the pleasure of sleep concurring.
3 And I being born received the common air, and fell upon the earth that is made alike, and the first voice like to all men did I put forth weeping.
3 And being born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, that is made alike, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.
4 I was nourished in swaddling cloths, and great cares.
4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares.
5 For none of the kings had other beginning of nativity.
5 For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.
6 There is one entrance therefore into life to all men, and like departure.
6 ²For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
7 For this cause I wished, and understanding was given me: and I invocated, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:
7 Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:
8 and I preferred her before Kingdoms and thrones, and riches I counted to be nothing in comparison of her.
8 And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
9 Neither did I compare the precious stone to her: because all gold in comparison of her, is a little sand, and silver in the sight of her shall be esteemed as clay.
9 ³Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold, in comparison of her, is as a little sand; and silver, in respect to her, shall be counted as clay.
10 Above health and beauty did I love her, and purposed to have her for light: because her light cannot be extinguished.
10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out.
11 And all good things came to me together with her, and very much honesty by her hands,
11 ⁴Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands,
12 and I rejoiced in all: because this wisdom went before me, and I was ignorant that she is the mother of all these.
12 And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all.
13 Which I learned without fiction, and do communicate without envy, and her honesty I hid not.
13 Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.
14 For she is an infinite treasure to men: which who so have, are made partakers of the friendship of God commended for the gifts of discipline.
14 For she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gift of discipline.
15 And to me God hath given to speak according to my mind, and to presume things worthy of those, that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the Creator of the wise:
15 And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise:
16 For in his hand are both we, & our words, and wisdom, and the knowledge & discipline of works.
16 For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.
17 For he gave me the true knowledge of those things which are: that I may know the disposition of the round world, and the virtues of the elements,
17 For he hath given me the true knowledge of the things that are: to know the disposition of the whole world, and the virtues of the elements,
18 the beginning, & end, & midst of times, the permutations of changeable seasons, and consummations of times,
18 The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,
19 the courses of the year, and dispositions of the stars,
19 The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars,
20 the natures of beasts, and furies of wild beasts, the force of winds, and the cogitations of men, the differences of plants, and virtues of roots,
20 The natures of living creatures, and rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and reasonings of men, the diversities of plants, and the virtues of roots,
21 & whatsoever are hid things and not foreseen, I have learned: for wisdom the worker of all taught me.
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.
22 For in her is the spirit of understanding, holy, only, manifold, subtile, eloquent, moveable, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving, good, sharp, who nothing hindereth well-doing,
22 For in her is the spirit of understanding; holy, one, manifold, subtle, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent,
23 gentle, benign, stable, certain, secure, having all power, foreseeing all things, and that containeth all spirits: intelligible, clean, subtile.
23 Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits: intelligible, pure, subtile:
24 For wisdom is more moveable than all moveable things: and reacheth every-where because of her cleanness.
24 For wisdom is more active than all active things; and reacheth everywhere, by reason of her purity.
25 For she is a vapour of the power of God, & a certain sincere emanation of the glory of God omnipotent: and therefore no defiled thing cometh unto her.
25 For she is a vapor of the power of God, and a certain pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her.
26 For she is the brightness of eternal light, & the unspotted glass of God's majesty, and the image of his goodness.
26 ⁵For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God’s majesty, and the image of his goodness.
27 And whereas she is one, she can do all things: and permanent in herself she reneweth all things, and by nations transporteth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God, and Prophets.
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 God and prophets.
28 For God loveth none, but him that dwelleth with wisdom.
28 For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.
29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all disposition of the stars, being compared to light she is found the first.
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.
30 For night succeedeth to it, but malice overcometh not wisdom.
30 For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom.