Wisdom of Solomon 7 — WBMS
7Verse 1Forsooth and I am a deadly man, like other men, and of earthly kind of him that was made first,Verse 2and in the womb of my mother I was formed flesh. In the time of ten months I was curded together in blood, of the seed of man, and by according delight [or covenable delighting] of sleep.Verse 3And I was born, and took common air, and in like manner I fell down into the earth made [or fell down into the made earth]; and I weeping sent out the first voice, like all men.Verse 4I was nursed in wrappings [or swaddling clothes], and in great busy-nesses;Verse 5for why no man of kings had other beginning of birth.Verse 6Therefore one entering to life is to all men, and like going out. [One entry is to all to life, and like issue.]Verse 7Wherefore I desired, and wit was given to me; and I inwardly called, and the spirit of wisdom came into me [or there came to me the spirit of wisdom].Verse 8And I setted wisdom before realms, and seats; and I said, that riches be nought [or nothing] in comparison thereof,Verse 9and I comparisoned not a precious stone to it; for why all gold in comparison thereof is a little gravel, and silver shall be areckoned [or esteemed] as clay in the sight thereof.Verse 10I loved wisdom more than health and fairness; and I purposed to have it for light, for the light thereof may not be quenched [or is unquenchable].Verse 11Forsooth all goods came together to me with it; and unnumberable honesty is by the works thereof.Verse 12And I was glad in all things; for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not, for it is the mother of all goods.Verse 13Which wisdom I learned without feigning, and I commune without envy; and I hide not the honesty thereof.Verse 14For it is treasure without number to men, and they, that used that treasure, were made partners of God’s friendship, and were praised for the gifts of knowing [or commended for the gifts of discipline].Verse 15Forsooth God gave to me to say of sentence, and to before take [or to take before] worthy things of these things that be given to me; for he is the leader of wisdom, and amender of wise men.Verse 16For why both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and learning of knowing of works be in his hand.Verse 17Forsooth he gave to me the very knowing of these things that be, that I know the disposition of the world, and the virtues of elements;Verse 18the beginning, and the ending, and the middle of times; the changings of whiles, and the endings of times; the changings of manners, and partings [or the divisions] of times;Verse 19the courses of the year, and the dispositions of stars;Verse 20the kinds of beasts, and the wraths of wild beasts; the strength of winds, and the thoughts of men; the differences of trees, and the virtues of roots.Verse 21And I learned whatever things be hid and unpurveyed;Verse 22for why wisdom, the craftsmaker [or craftsman] of all things, taught me. For in that wisdom unmade is the spirit of understanding, holy, manyfold, one alone [or only], subtle, temperate [or mannerly], wise, moveable, undefouled, certain, sweet, loving a good deed, which spirit forbiddeth nothing to do well [or that nothing prevented or hindered to do well];Verse 23courteous, benign, stable, secure, having all virtue, beholding all things, and which taketh all spirits able to understand, he is clean, and subtle.Verse 24For why wisdom is more moveable than all moveable things; forsooth it stretcheth forth everywhere [or it attaineth over all], for his cleanness.Verse 25For it is a breathing of God’s virtue, and it is some clean coming forth of the clearness of Almighty God; and therefore no defouled thing runneth into it.Verse 26For it is brightness of everlasting light, and it is a mirror without wem of God’s majesty, [or a mirror without wem of the majesty of God], and it is an image of his goodness.Verse 27And when it is one [or And since it is one], it may all things; and it dwelleth in itself, and reneweth all things, and by nations it beareth over itself into holy souls; it maketh the friends of God, and prophets.Verse 28For God loveth no man, but him that dwelleth with wisdom.Verse 29For why this wisdom is fairer than the sun, and is above all the disposition of stars; wisdom comparisoned to light, [it] is found the former.Verse 30For why night cometh after the light; but wisdom overcometh malice.