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Apocrypha. friendship; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to take her to me.

For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.

Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled.

Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said,

O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word,

And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made,

And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart:

Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children:

For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.

For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.

Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters:

Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning.

And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments.

O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto thee.

For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power.

So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father's seat.

For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is?

For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain.

For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things.

And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out?

And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above?

For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom.

She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall,

And gave him power to rule all things.

But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.

For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value.

Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded, she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless unto God, and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son.

When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities.

Of whose wickedness even to this day the waste land that smoketh is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness: and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul.

For regarding not wisdom, they gat