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 - In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring.
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 nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares.
5 - For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.
6 - For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
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 esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
9 - Neither 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 - I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out.
11 - Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands,
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 have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.
14 - For she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts of discipline.
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, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.
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, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,
19 - The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars,
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 - 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, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent,
23 - Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits: intelligible, pure, subtile:
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, and a certain pure emmanation of the glory of the Almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her.
26 - For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God's majesty, and the image of his goodness.
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.
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 after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom.
