Page:KJV 1772 Oxford Edition, vol. 2.djvu/84

Apocrypha. For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship.

For he hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements:

The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons:

The circuits of years, and the positions of stars:

The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts: the violence of winds, and the reasonings of men: the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots:

And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know.

For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit holy, one only, manifold, subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do good,

Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtil, spirits.

For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness.

For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her.

For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness.

And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she maketh all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets.

For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.

For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.

For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom.

Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily: and sweetly doth she order all things.

I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty.

In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility: yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her.

For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.

If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?

And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she?

And if a man love righteousness her labours are virtues: for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as men can have nothing more profitable in their life.

If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old, and conjectureth aright what is to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.

Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief.

For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the elders, though I be young.

I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men.

When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth.

Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me.

I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me.

Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.

After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy.

Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;

And great pleasure it is to have her