Chapter 8
1 But she * Or, reaches from end onward to end mightily reaches from one end of the world to the other with full strength,
And ordereth all things † Or, to good use graciously.
2 Her I loved and sought out from my youth,
And I sought to take her for my bride,
And I became enamoured of her beauty.
3 She glorifieth her noble birth in that it is given her to live with God,
And the Sovereign Lord of all loved her.
4 For she is initiated into the knowledge of God,
And she ‡ Some authorities read devises for him. chooses out for him his works.
5 But if riches are a desired possession in life,
What is richer than wisdom, which works all things?
6 § The Greek text of this clause is perhaps corrupt. And if understanding works,
Who more than ** Gr. she. wisdom is an architect of the things that are?
7 And if a man loves righteousness,
†† Gr. Her labors are. The fruits of wisdom’s labor are virtues,
For she teaches soberness and understanding, righteousness and courage;
And there is nothing in life for men more profitable than these.
8 And if a man longeth even for much experience,
She knows ‡‡ Some authorities read how to divine the things of old and the things to come. the things of old, and §§ Gr. conjectures. divineth the things to come:
She understands subtleties of speeches and interpretations of dark sayings:
She foresees signs and wonders, and the issues of seasons and times.
9 I determined therefore to take her to me to live with me,
Knowing that she is one who would *** Or, hold counsel with me for good things, and...against cares and grief give me good thoughts for counsel,
And ††† Or, exhort Or, advise encourage me in cares and grief.
10 Because of her I will have glory among multitudes,
And honor in the sight of elders, though I be young.
11 I will be found of a quick conceit when I give judgement,
And in the presence of ‡‡‡ Or, mighty men princes I will be admired.
12 When I am silent, they will wait for me;
And when I open my lips, they will give heed to me;
And if I continue speaking, they will lay their hand upon their mouth.
13 Because of her I will have immortality,
And leave behind an eternal memory to those who come after me.
14 I will govern peoples,
And nations will be subjected to me.
15 Dread princes will fear me when they hear of me:
16 When I am come into my house, I will find rest with her;
For converse with her has no bitterness,
And to live with her has no pain, but gladness and joy.
17 When I considered these things in myself,
And took thought in my heart how that in kinship to wisdom is immortality,
18 And in her friendship is good delight,
And in the labors of her hands is wealth that fails not,
And in * Gr. practice of communion. assiduous communing with her is understanding,
And great renown in having fellowship with her words,
I went about seeking how to take her to myself.
19 Now I was † Or, a goodly child a child of parts, and a good soul fell to my lot;
20 Nay rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled.
21 But perceiving that I could not otherwise ‡ This is the probable sense: the Greek text is perhaps defective. possess wisdom except God gave her me
(Yes and to know § Gr. of whom is the grace. by whom the grace is given, this too came of understanding),
I pleaded with the Lord and implored him, and with my whole heart I said,
*8:1 Or, reaches from end onward to end mightily
†8:1 Or, to good use
‡8:4 Some authorities read devises for him.
§8:6 The Greek text of this clause is perhaps corrupt.
**8:6 Gr. she.
††8:7 Gr. Her labors are.
‡‡8:8 Some authorities read how to divine the things of old and the things to come.
§§8:8 Gr. conjectures.
***8:9 Or, hold counsel with me for good things, and...against cares and grief
†††8:9 Or, exhort Or, advise
‡‡‡8:11 Or, mighty men
§§§8:15 Gr. multitude.
*8:18 Gr. practice of communion.
†8:19 Or, a goodly child
‡8:21 This is the probable sense: the Greek text is perhaps defective.
§8:21 Gr. of whom is the grace.