1She stretches powerfully from one end to the other, and she orders all things well.
2Her I loved and sought out from my youth; I sought to take her as a bride for myself, and I became a lover of her beauty.
3She glorifies her noble birth by living with God, and the Master of all loved her.
4For she is an initiate into the knowledge of God and a chooser of his works.
5And if wealth is a desirable possession in life, what is richer than Wisdom, who produces all things?
6And if understanding can produce, who is more a craftsman of existing things than she?
7And if someone loves righteousness, her labors are virtues; for she teaches self-control and understanding, righteousness and courage—nothing is more useful than these for people in life.
8And if someone desires wide experience, she knows the things of old and infers the things to come; she understands turns of speech and the solutions of riddles; she foreknows signs and wonders, and the outcomes of seasons and times.
9Therefore I decided to bring her to live with me, knowing that she would be my counselor in good things and my comfort in cares and grief.
10Through her I will have glory among the crowds, and honor from the elders, though I am young.
11I will be found keen in judgment, and in the sight of rulers I will be admired.
12When I am silent, they will wait; and when I speak, they will pay attention; and if I speak at length, they will place a hand on their mouth.
13Through her I will have immortality, and I will leave an eternal memory to those who come after me.
14I will govern peoples, and nations will be subject to me.
15Dreaded tyrants will fear me when they hear of me; among the people I will appear good, and in war, courageous.
16When I enter my house, I will find my rest with her; for there is no bitterness in her company, nor pain in living with her, but only gladness and joy.
17Considering these things in myself and pondering in my heart that there is immortality in kinship with Wisdom,
18and good delight in her friendship, and unfailing wealth in the labors of her hands, and understanding in the practice of her conversation, and a good reputation in sharing her words—I went about seeking how I might take her for myself.
19Now, I was a naturally gifted child, and I had been allotted a good soul;
20or rather, being good, I came into an undefiled body.
21But knowing that I could not otherwise possess her unless God gave her—and this too was a part of understanding, to know whose gift she is—I appealed to the Lord and pleaded with him, and I said with my whole heart:
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