Wisdom of Solomon 7
7
Solomon Speaks about Death
1 #
4 Macc 12.13. Like everyone else,
I am destined to die.
I too am a descendant
of that man who was made
from the soil of the earth.
And my body took shape
inside my mother's womb.
2For ten months I was there,
growing in her blood
from seed left by my father#7.2 her blood … seed left by my father: It was believed that a child's body was made from a combination of the mother's blood and sperm from the father.
as they were making love.
3And when I was born,
I breathed the same air as others
and touched the same earth.
Like all other children,
my first sound was a cry.
4I was nursed with love
and dressed in baby clothes.
5No rulers have their beginning
any differently—
6all enter life in the same way
and leave in the same way.
Solomon Praises Wisdom
7 #
1 K 3.6-9; Ws 9.1-18. I asked God for Wisdom
and for understanding,
and my prayer was answered.
8Nothing compares with Wisdom!
And so I chose her
over power and wealth.
9In comparison with Wisdom,
precious gems are nothing;
gold is merely sand,
and silver is simply clay.
10I preferred Wisdom more than
a healthy and handsome body;
the brightest light grows dim
when compared with her.
11Wisdom brought me wealth
and everything good.
12I was pleased with all
that she brought me,
though I failed to realize
that Wisdom was the source.
13I sincerely studied,
then freely shared the riches
I learned from Wisdom.
14Wisdom's treasures never end.
God approves of her,
and those who gain Wisdom
are friends of God.
Solomon Prays for Wisdom
15I pray that God will help me
to say the right thing
and to have thoughts
worthy of his gifts to me.
God shows Wisdom the way
and instructs wise people.
16Our lives and our words,
our understanding and skills
are all in the hands of God.
17From God came my knowledge
about the universe
and how its parts work;
18about the way a calendar
is determined;
about the movement of the sun
and the changing seasons;
19about the way the years
come and go on schedule;
about the groups of stars
20and the way animals behave,
both tame and wild;
about the motion of the wind
and the thoughts of humans;
about all kinds of plants
and the value of roots.
21I learned hidden mysteries
and things known to all,
22because I was taught by Wisdom,
who made everything.
Wisdom is both intelligent
and holy.
Though one of a kind,
she appears in many forms
and is a spiritual being
that moves freely about.
Wisdom is clear and pure,
spotless and innocent,
and she loves goodness.
Wisdom is sharp and victorious,
23generous, helpful, dependable,
and she never worries.
Wisdom is all-powerful;
she sees everything
and is ever present
with those who are intelligent,
pure, and truly spiritual.
24Wisdom moves more easily
than anything else
and is so pure that she is
everywhere at once.
25Wisdom is the breath
of God's power,
the true reflection of the glory
of God All-Powerful,
and so she cannot be touched
by anything impure.
26Wisdom is like a mirror
reflecting the eternal light
of God's deeds and goodness.
27Though Wisdom is and remains
only one being,
she can do anything
and she renews all things.
In each generation she enters
the souls of the faithful,
making them into prophets
and friends of God,
28since God's favorite people
are those who live with her.
29Wisdom is more beautiful than
the sun and the stars.
She is far superior to daylight,
30because it turns to darkness,
but she cannot be changed
by the power of evil.
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Wisdom of Solomon 7: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.