Wisdom of Solomon 9

1God of the fathers and Lord of your mercy, who made all things by your word,

2and by your wisdom you made man to rule over the creatures that came into being through you,

3and govern the world in holiness and righteousness, and judge with uprightness of soul.

4Give me the wisdom that sits beside your thrones, and do not reject me from among your children.

5for I am your servant and the son of your female servant, a weak man and short-lived, and lacking in understanding of judgment and laws;

6For even if someone is perfect among the sons of men, apart from the wisdom that comes from you, he will be regarded as nothing.

7You chose me beforehand as king of your people and as judge of your sons and daughters;

8You said to build a temple on your holy mountain, and an altar in the city of your dwelling, an imitation of the holy tent that you prepared from the beginning.

9And with you is wisdom, who knows your works, and was present when you made the world, and understands what is pleasing in your eyes and what is right according to your commandments.

10Send her out from the holy heavens, and send her from the throne of your glory, so that, being present with me, she may labor with me, and I may know what is pleasing to you.

11For she knows all things and understands, and she will guide me prudently in my actions, and will guard me by her glory.

12and my works will be acceptable, and I will judge your people justly, and I will be worthy of my father's thrones.

13For what man can know the counsel of God? Or who can discern what the Lord wills?

14For the reasonings of mortals are timid, and our thoughts are uncertain;

15For a perishable body weighs down the soul, and the earthly tent burdens a mind full of cares.

16And we can scarcely guess the things on earth, and we find the things at hand with labor; but who has traced out the things in the heavens?

17And who has known your counsel, unless you have given wisdom and sent your holy Spirit from on high?

18and so the paths of those on earth were set straight, and men were taught the things pleasing to you,

19and by wisdom they were saved.