Book of Wisdom, Chapter 9

Solomon's PRAYER^*

1^* God of my ancestors, Lord of mercy,^a

you who have made all things by your word^b

2And in your wisdom have established humankind

to rule the creatures produced by you,^c

3And to govern the world in holiness and righteousness,

and to render judgment in integrity of heart:^d

4Give me Wisdom, the consort at your throne,

and do not reject me from among your children;^e

5For I am your servant, the child of your maidservant,

a man weak and short-lived

and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws.^f

6Indeed, though one be perfect among mortals,

if Wisdom, who comes from you, be lacking,

that one will count for nothing.^g

7You have chosen me king over your people

and magistrate over your sons and daughters.^h

8You have bid me build a temple on your holy mountain

and an altar in the city that is your dwelling place,

a copy of the holy tabernacle which you had established from of old.ⁱ

9Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works

and was present when you made the world;

Who understands what is pleasing in your eyes

and what is conformable with your commands.^j

10Send her forth from your holy heavens

and from your glorious throne dispatch her

That she may be with me and work with me,

that I may know what is pleasing to you.^k

11For she knows and understands all things,

and will guide me prudently in my affairs

and safeguard me by her glory;^l

12Thus my deeds will be acceptable,

and I will judge your people justly

and be worthy of my father’s throne.^m

13For who knows God’s counsel,

or who can conceive what the Lord intends?ⁿ

14For the deliberations of mortals are timid,

and uncertain our plans.

15^* For the corruptible body burdens the soul

and the earthly tent weighs down the mind with its many concerns.^o

16Scarcely can we guess the things on earth,

and only with difficulty grasp what is at hand;

but things in heaven, who can search them out?^p

17Or who can know your counsel, unless you give Wisdom

and send your holy spirit from on high?^q

18^* Thus were the paths of those on earth made straight,

and people learned what pleases you,

and were saved by Wisdom.^r