1 I myself am also a mortal man like all,
And the offspring of he who was first made from the earth.
2 And was fashioned in my mother’s womb to be flesh in the time of ten months,
Being compacted in blood, of the seed of man,
And the pleasure that came with sleep.
3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air,
And fell upon the earth, which is of like nature,
And the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.
4 I was nursed with compassion, and wrapped in garments.
5 For there is no sovereign that had any other beginning of birth.
6 For all men have one entrance into life,
And the same going out.
7 Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given to me.
I called upon Elohim, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
8 I preferred her before sceptres and thrones,
And deemed wealth naught in comparison to her.
9 Neither did I compare her to any precious stone,
Because all gold in respect to her is as a little sand,
And silver is counted as clay before her.
10 I loved her above health and loveliness,
And chose to have her instead of light;
For the light that comes from her never goes out.
11 All good came to me together with her,
And much wealth in her hands.
12 And I rejoiced in them all,
because wisdom goes before them;
And I did not know that she was the mother of them.
13 I learned diligently, and speak of her freely.
I do not hide her wealth,
14 For she is a treasure unto men that never fails;
Which those who use become the friends of Elohim,
Being commended for the gifts that come from learning.
15 Elohim has granted me to speak as I would,
And to conceive what is right for that which has been given to me;
Because it is He who leads unto wisdom, and directs the wise.
16 For in His hand are both we and our words;
All wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship.
17 For He has given me certain knowledge of that which exists,
Namely, to know how the world was made,
And the operation of the elements.
18 The beginning, ending, and middle of the times;
The alterations of the turning of the sun,
And the change of seasons.
19 The circuits of years, and the positions of stars.
20 The nature of living creatures, and the raging of wild beasts;
The violence of winds, and the reasonings of men;
The diversities of plants and the power of roots.
21 And all that which is either secret or revealed, these I know.
22 For wisdom, which is the worker of all matters, taught me;
For in her is an understanding spirit: qodesh, unique, manifold, wise, lively, clear, undefiled, clean, strong, loving the good, alive, irresistible, ready to do good,
23 kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from worry, all powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating all spirits most wise, understanding, and pure.
24 For wisdom is more moving than any motion:
She passes and penetrates all because of her purity.
25 For she is the breath of the power of Elohim,
And a pure force flowing from the esteem of the Almighty;
Therefore no uncleanness shall come upon her.
26 For she is the brightness of the everlasting Light,
The unspotted reflection of the power of Elohim,
And an image of His goodness.
27 And although one, she does all matters:
And remaining in herself, she renews all matters.
And entering into qodesh beings of all generations,
She makes them friends of Elohim, and neḇi’im.
28 For Elohim loves none but he who dwells with wisdom.
29 For she is more lovely than the sun,
And above all the order of stars:
Compared with the light, she is found before it.
30 For after this comes night,
But evil shall not prevail against wisdom.