Wisdom of Solomon 7 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible Classic
[1] I myself am also‡ mortal, like everyone else,
and am a descendant of one formed first and born of the earth.
[2] I molded into flesh in the time of ten months in my mother’s womb,
being compacted in blood from the seed of man and pleasure of marriage.
[3] I also, when I was born, drew in the common air,
and fell upon the kindred earth,
uttering, like all, for my first voice, the same cry.
[4] I was nursed with care in swaddling clothes.
[5] For no king had a different beginning,
[6] but all men have one entrance into life, and a common departure. [7] For this cause I prayed, and understanding was given to me.
I asked, and a spirit of wisdom came to me.
[8] I preferred her before sceptres and thrones.
I considered riches nothing in comparison to her.
[9] Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem,
because all gold in her presence is a little sand,
and silver will be considered as clay before her.
[10] I loved her more than health and beauty,
and I chose to have her rather than light,
because her bright shining is never laid to sleep.
[11] All good things came to me with her,
and innumerable riches are in her hands.
[12] And I rejoiced over them all because wisdom leads them;
although I didn’t know that she was their mother.
[13] As I learned without guile, I impart without grudging.
I don’t hide her riches.
[14] For she is a treasure for men that doesn’t fail,
and those who use it obtain friendship with God,
commended by the gifts which they present through discipline. [15] But may God grant that I may speak his judgment,
and to conceive thoughts worthy of what has been given me;
because he is one who guides even wisdom and who corrects the wise.
[16] For both we and our words are in his hand,
with all understanding and skill in various crafts.
[17] For he himself gave me an unerring knowledge of the things that are,
to know the structure of the universe and the operation of the elements;
[18] the beginning, end, and middle of times;
the alternations of the solstices and the changes of seasons;
[19] the circuits of years and the positions of stars;
[20] the natures of living creatures and the raging of wild beasts;
the violence of§ winds and the thoughts of men;
the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots.
[21] All things that are either secret or manifest I learned,
[22] for wisdom, that is the architect of all things, taught me.For there is in her a spirit that is quick to understand, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle, freely moving, clear in utterance, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen, unhindered,
[23] beneficent, loving toward man, steadfast, sure, free from care, all-powerful, all-surveying,
and penetrating through all spirits that are quick to understand, pure, most subtle.
[24] For wisdom is more mobile than any motion.
Yes, she pervades and penetrates all things by reason of her purity.
[25] For she is a breath of the power of God,
and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty.
Therefore nothing defiled can find entrance into her.
[26] For she is a reflection of everlasting light,
an unspotted mirror of the working of God,
and an image of his goodness.
[27] Although she is one, she has power to do all things.
Remaining in herself, she renews all things.
From generation to generation passing into holy souls,
she makes friends of God and prophets.
[28] For God loves nothing as much as one who dwells with wisdom.
[29] For she is fairer than the sun,
and above all the constellations of the stars.
She is better than light.
[30] For daylight yields to night,
but evil does not prevail against wisdom.
and am a descendant of one formed first and born of the earth.
[2] I molded into flesh in the time of ten months in my mother’s womb,
being compacted in blood from the seed of man and pleasure of marriage.
[3] I also, when I was born, drew in the common air,
and fell upon the kindred earth,
uttering, like all, for my first voice, the same cry.
[4] I was nursed with care in swaddling clothes.
[5] For no king had a different beginning,
[6] but all men have one entrance into life, and a common departure. [7] For this cause I prayed, and understanding was given to me.
I asked, and a spirit of wisdom came to me.
[8] I preferred her before sceptres and thrones.
I considered riches nothing in comparison to her.
[9] Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem,
because all gold in her presence is a little sand,
and silver will be considered as clay before her.
[10] I loved her more than health and beauty,
and I chose to have her rather than light,
because her bright shining is never laid to sleep.
[11] All good things came to me with her,
and innumerable riches are in her hands.
[12] And I rejoiced over them all because wisdom leads them;
although I didn’t know that she was their mother.
[13] As I learned without guile, I impart without grudging.
I don’t hide her riches.
[14] For she is a treasure for men that doesn’t fail,
and those who use it obtain friendship with God,
commended by the gifts which they present through discipline. [15] But may God grant that I may speak his judgment,
and to conceive thoughts worthy of what has been given me;
because he is one who guides even wisdom and who corrects the wise.
[16] For both we and our words are in his hand,
with all understanding and skill in various crafts.
[17] For he himself gave me an unerring knowledge of the things that are,
to know the structure of the universe and the operation of the elements;
[18] the beginning, end, and middle of times;
the alternations of the solstices and the changes of seasons;
[19] the circuits of years and the positions of stars;
[20] the natures of living creatures and the raging of wild beasts;
the violence of§ winds and the thoughts of men;
the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots.
[21] All things that are either secret or manifest I learned,
[22] for wisdom, that is the architect of all things, taught me.For there is in her a spirit that is quick to understand, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle, freely moving, clear in utterance, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen, unhindered,
[23] beneficent, loving toward man, steadfast, sure, free from care, all-powerful, all-surveying,
and penetrating through all spirits that are quick to understand, pure, most subtle.
[24] For wisdom is more mobile than any motion.
Yes, she pervades and penetrates all things by reason of her purity.
[25] For she is a breath of the power of God,
and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty.
Therefore nothing defiled can find entrance into her.
[26] For she is a reflection of everlasting light,
an unspotted mirror of the working of God,
and an image of his goodness.
[27] Although she is one, she has power to do all things.
Remaining in herself, she renews all things.
From generation to generation passing into holy souls,
she makes friends of God and prophets.
[28] For God loves nothing as much as one who dwells with wisdom.
[29] For she is fairer than the sun,
and above all the constellations of the stars.
She is better than light.
[30] For daylight yields to night,
but evil does not prevail against wisdom.
Footnotes
- ‡ 7:1 Many authorities read a mortal man.
- § 7:20 Or, spirits
King James Version
Book not available in King James Version
Septuaginta
Septuaginta, in place of Byzantine Greek New Testament
[1] Εἰμὶ G1510 (V-PAI-1S) μὲν G3303 (PRT) κἀγὼ G2504 (P-1NS-K) θνητὸς G2349 (A-NSM) ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) ἴσος G2470 (A-NSM) ἅπασιν G537 (A-DPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) γηγενοῦς (A-GSM) ἀπόγονος (A-NSM) πρωτοπλάστου· (A-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) κοιλίᾳ G2836 (N-DSF) μητρὸς G3384 (N-GSF) ἐγλύφην (N-ASF) σὰρξ G4561 (N-NSF) [2] δεκαμηνιαίῳ (A-DSM) χρόνῳ G5550 (N-DSM) παγεὶς G4078 (V-APP-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) αἵματι G129 (N-DSN) ἐκ G1537 (PREP) σπέρματος G4690 (N-GSN) ἀνδρὸς G435 (N-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἡδονῆς G2237 (N-GSF) ὕπνῳ G5258 (N-DSM) συνελθούσης. G4905 (V-2AAP-GSF) [3] Καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐγὼ G1473 (P-1NS) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) γενόμενος G1096 (V-2ADP-NSM) ἔσπασα G4685 (V-AAI-1S) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) κοινὸν G2839 (A-ASM) ἀέρα G109 (N-ASM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) ὁμοιοπαθῆ G3663 (A-ASF) κατέπεσον G2667 (V-2AAI-3P) γῆν G1093 (N-ASF) πρώτην G4413 (A-ASF-S) φωνὴν G5456 (N-ASF) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) ὁμοίαν G3664 (A-ASF) πᾶσιν G3956 (A-DPM) ἴσα G2470 (A-APN) κλαίων· G2799 (V-PAP-NSM) [4] ἐν G1722 (PREP) σπαργάνοις (N-DPN) ἀνετράφην G397 (V-2API-1S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) φροντίσιν. (N-DPF) [5] Οὐδεὶς G3762 (A-NSM-N) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) βασιλέων G935 (N-GPM) ἑτέραν G2087 (A-ASF) ἔσχεν G2192 (V-2AAI-3S) γενέσεως G1078 (N-GSF) ἀρχήν, G746 (N-ASF) [6] μία G3391 (A-NSF) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) πάντων G3956 (A-GPM) εἴσοδος G1529 (N-NSF) εἰς G1519 (PREP) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) βίον G979 (N-ASM) ἔξοδός G1841 (N-NSF) τε G5037 (PRT) ἴση. G2470 (A-NSF) [7] Διὰ G1223 (PREP) τοῦτο G5124 (D-ASN) εὐξάμην, G2172 (V-ADI-1S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) φρόνησις G5428 (N-NSF) ἐδόθη G1325 (V-API-3S) μοι· G3427 (P-1DS) ἐπεκαλεσάμην, (V-AMI-1S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἦλθέν G2064 (V-2AAI-3S) μοι G3427 (P-1DS) πνεῦμα G4151 (N-NSN) σοφίας. G4678 (N-GSF) [8] Προέκρινα (V-2AAI-1S) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) σκήπτρων (N-GPN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) θρόνων G2362 (N-GPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πλοῦτον G4149 (N-ASM) οὐδὲν G3762 (A-ASN-N) ἡγησάμην G2233 (V-ADI-1S) ἐν G1722 (PREP) συγκρίσει (N-DSF) αὐτῆς· G846 (P-GSF) [9] οὐδὲ G3761 (CONJ-N) ὡμοίωσα G3666 (V-AAI-1S) αὐτῇ G846 (P-DSF) λίθον G3037 (N-ASM) ἀτίμητον, (A-ASM) ὅτι G3754 (CONJ) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) πᾶς G3956 (A-NSM) χρυσὸς G5557 (N-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ὄψει G3799 (N-DSF) αὐτῆς G846 (P-GSF) ψάμμος (N-NSF) ὀλίγη, G3641 (A-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὡς G5613 (ADV) πηλὸς G4081 (N-NSM) λογισθήσεται G3049 (V-FPI-3S) ἄργυρος G696 (N-NSM) ἐναντίον G1726 (PREP) αὐτῆς· G846 (P-GSF) [10] ὑπὲρ G5228 (PREP) ὑγίειαν (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) εὐμορφίαν (N-ASF) ἠγάπησα G25 (V-AAI-1S) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) προειλόμην (V-2AMI-1S) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) ἀντὶ G473 (PREP) φωτὸς G5457 (N-GSN) ἔχειν, G2192 (V-PAN) ὅτι G3754 (CONJ) ἀκοίμητον (A-NSN) τὸ G3588 (T-NSN) ἐκ G1537 (PREP) ταύτης G3778 (D-GSF) φέγγος. G5338 (N-NSN) [11] Ἦλθεν G2064 (V-2AAI-3S) δέ G1161 (CONJ) μοι G3427 (P-1DS) τὰ G3588 (T-NPN) ἀγαθὰ G18 (A-NPN) ὁμοῦ G3674 (ADV) πάντα G3956 (A-NPN) μετ’ G3326 (PREP) αὐτῆς G846 (P-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀναρίθμητος G382 (A-NSM) πλοῦτος G4149 (N-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) χερσὶν G5495 (N-DPF) αὐτῆς· G846 (P-GSF) [12] εὐφράνθην G2165 (V-API-1S) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) ἐπὶ G1909 (PREP) πᾶσιν, G3956 (A-DPN) ὅτι G3754 (CONJ) αὐτῶν G846 (P-GPN) ἡγεῖται G2233 (V-PEI-3S) σοφία, G4678 (N-NSF) ἠγνόουν G50 (V-IAI-1S) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) γενέτιν (N-ASF) εἶναι G1511 (V-PAN) τούτων. G5130 (D-GPN) [13] Ἀδόλως (ADV) τε G5037 (PRT) ἔμαθον G3129 (V-2AAI-1S) ἀφθόνως (ADV) τε G5037 (PRT) μεταδίδωμι, G3330 (V-PAI-1S) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) πλοῦτον G4149 (N-ASM) αὐτῆς G846 (P-GSF) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἀποκρύπτομαι· G613 (V-PEI-1S) [14] ἀνεκλιπὴς (A-NSM) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) θησαυρός G2344 (N-NSM) ἐστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ἀνθρώποις, G444 (N-DPM) ὃν G3739 (R-ASM) οἱ G3588 (T-NPM) κτησάμενοι G2932 (V-AMP-NPM) πρὸς G4314 (PREP) θεὸν G2316 (N-ASM) ἐστείλαντο G4724 (V-AMI-3P) φιλίαν G5373 (N-ASF) διὰ G1223 (PREP) τὰς G3588 (T-APF) ἐκ G1537 (PREP) παιδείας G3809 (N-GSF) δωρεὰς (N-APF) συσταθέντες. G4921 (V-2APP-NPM) [15] Ἐμοὶ G1699 (S-1SNPM) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) δῴη G1325 (V-2AAO-3S) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) θεὸς G2316 (N-NSM) εἰπεῖν G2036 (V-2AAN) κατὰ G2596 (PREP) γνώμην G1106 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐνθυμηθῆναι G1760 (V-APN) ἀξίως G516 (ADV) τῶν G3588 (T-GPM) δεδομένων, G1325 (V-REP-GPM) ὅτι G3754 (CONJ) αὐτὸς G846 (P-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) σοφίας G4678 (N-GSF) ὁδηγός G3595 (N-NSM) ἐστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τῶν G3588 (T-GPM) σοφῶν G4680 (A-GPM) διορθωτής. (N-NSM) [16] Ἐν G1722 (PREP) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) χειρὶ G5495 (N-DSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἡμεῖς G2249 (P-1NP) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οἱ G3588 (T-NPM) λόγοι G3056 (N-NPM) ἡμῶν G2257 (P-1GP) πᾶσά G3956 (A-NSF) τε G5037 (PRT) φρόνησις G5428 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐργατειῶν (N-GPF) ἐπιστήμη. (N-NSF) [17] Αὐτὸς G846 (P-NSM) γάρ G1063 (CONJ) μοι G3427 (P-1DS) ἔδωκεν G1325 (V-AAI-3S) τῶν G3588 (T-GPN) ὄντων G5607 (V-PAP-GPN) γνῶσιν G1108 (N-ASF) ἀψευδῆ G893 (A-ASF) εἰδέναι G1492 (V-RAN) σύστασιν (N-ASF) κόσμου G2889 (N-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐνέργειαν G1753 (N-ASF) στοιχείων, G4747 (N-GPN) [18] ἀρχὴν G746 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) τέλος G5056 (N-ASN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μεσότητα (N-ASF) χρόνων, G5550 (N-GPM) τροπῶν G5157 (N-GPF) ἀλλαγὰς (N-APF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μεταβολὰς (N-APF) καιρῶν, G2540 (N-GPM) [19] ἐνιαυτοῦ G1763 (N-GSM) κύκλους G2945 (N-APM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἄστρων G798 (N-GPN) θέσεις, (N-APF) [20] φύσεις G5449 (N-APF) ζῴων G2226 (N-GPN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) θυμοὺς G2372 (N-APM) θηρίων, G2342 (N-GPN) πνευμάτων G4151 (N-GPN) βίας G970 (N-APF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) διαλογισμοὺς G1261 (N-APM) ἀνθρώπων, G444 (N-GPM) διαφορὰς (N-APF) φυτῶν (N-GPN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) δυνάμεις G1411 (N-APF) ῥιζῶν, G4491 (N-GPF) [21] ὅσα G3745 (K-NPN) τέ G5037 (PRT) ἐστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) κρυπτὰ G2927 (A-NPN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐμφανῆ G1717 (A-NPN) ἔγνων· G1097 (V-2AAI-1S) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) πάντων G3956 (A-GPN) τεχνῖτις (N-NSF) ἐδίδαξέν G1321 (V-AAI-3S) με G3165 (P-1AS) σοφία. G4678 (N-NSF) [22] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) αὐτῇ G846 (P-DSF) πνεῦμα G4151 (N-NSN) νοερόν, (A-NSN) ἅγιον, G40 (A-NSN) μονογενές, G3439 (A-NSN) πολυμερές, (A-NSN) λεπτόν, (A-NSN) εὐκίνητον, (A-NSN) τρανόν, (N-NSN) ἀμόλυντον, (A-NSN) σαφές, (A-NSN) ἀπήμαντον, (A-NSN) φιλάγαθον, G5358 (A-NSN) ὀξύ, G3691 (A-NSN) [23] ἀκώλυτον, (A-NSN) εὐεργετικόν, (A-NSN) φιλάνθρωπον, (A-NSN) βέβαιον, G949 (A-NSN) ἀσφαλές, G804 (A-NSN) ἀμέριμνον, G275 (A-NSN) παντοδύναμον, (A-NSN) πανεπίσκοπον (A-NSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) διὰ G1223 (PREP) πάντων G3956 (A-GPN) χωροῦν G5562 (V-PAP-NSN) πνευμάτων G4151 (N-GPN) νοερῶν (A-GPN) καθαρῶν G2513 (A-GPN) λεπτοτάτων. (A-GPM-S) [24] Πάσης G3956 (A-GSF) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) κινήσεως G2796 (N-GSF) κινητικώτερον (A-NSN-C) σοφία, G4678 (N-NSF) διήκει (V-PAI-3S) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) χωρεῖ G5562 (V-PAI-3S) διὰ G1223 (PREP) πάντων G3956 (A-GPN) διὰ G1223 (PREP) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) καθαρότητα· G2514 (N-ASF) [25] ἀτμὶς G822 (N-NSF) γάρ G1063 (CONJ) ἐστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) τοῦ G3588 (T-GSM) θεοῦ G2316 (N-GSM) δυνάμεως G1411 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀπόρροια (N-NSF) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) τοῦ G3588 (T-GSM) παντοκράτορος G3841 (N-GSM) δόξης G1391 (N-GSF) εἰλικρινής· G1506 (A-NSF) διὰ G1223 (PREP) τοῦτο G5124 (D-ASN) οὐδὲν G3762 (A-NSN-N) μεμιαμμένον G3392 (V-RMP-NSN) εἰς G1519 (PREP) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) παρεμπίπτει. (V-PAI-3S) [26] Ἀπαύγασμα G541 (N-NSN) γάρ G1063 (CONJ) ἐστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) φωτὸς G5457 (N-GSN) ἀιδίου G126 (A-GSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἔσοπτρον G2072 (N-NSN) ἀκηλίδωτον (A-NSN) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) τοῦ G3588 (T-GSM) θεοῦ G2316 (N-GSM) ἐνεργείας G1753 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) εἰκὼν G1504 (N-NSM) τῆς G3588 (T-GSF) ἀγαθότητος (N-GSF) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM) [27] Μία G3391 (A-NSF) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) οὖσα G5607 (V-PAP-NSF) πάντα G3956 (A-ASM) δύναται G1410 (V-PNI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) μένουσα G3306 (V-PAP-NSF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) αὑτῇ G846 (P-DSF) τὰ G3588 (T-APN) πάντα G3956 (A-APN) καινίζει (V-PAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) κατὰ G2596 (PREP) γενεὰς G1074 (N-APF) εἰς G1519 (PREP) ψυχὰς G5590 (N-APF) ὁσίας G3741 (A-APF) μεταβαίνουσα G3327 (V-PAP-NSF) φίλους G5384 (A-APM) θεοῦ G2316 (N-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) προφήτας G4396 (N-APM) κατασκευάζει· G2680 (V-PAI-3S) [28] οὐθὲν G3762 (A-ASN-N) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) ἀγαπᾷ G25 (V-PAI-3S) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) θεὸς G2316 (N-NSM) εἰ G1487 (COND) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) σοφίᾳ G4678 (N-DSF) συνοικοῦντα. G4924 (V-PAP-ASM) [29] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) αὕτη G3778 (D-NSF) εὐπρεπεστέρα (A-NSF-C) ἡλίου G2246 (N-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὑπὲρ G5228 (PREP) πᾶσαν G3956 (A-ASF) ἄστρων G798 (N-GPN) θέσιν. (N-ASF) Φωτὶ G5457 (N-DSN) συγκρινομένη G4793 (V-PEP-NSF) εὑρίσκεται G2147 (V-PEI-3S) προτέρα· (A-NSF) [30] τοῦτο G5124 (D-ASN) μὲν G3303 (PRT) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) διαδέχεται G1237 (V-PEI-3S) νύξ, G3571 (N-NSF) σοφίας G4678 (N-GSF) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) κατισχύει G2729 (V-PAI-3S) κακία. G2549 (N-NSF)