Wisdom chapter 8
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Solomon asked, and God gave him the spirit of wisdom, continued.
The Book of Wisdom is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
SOLOMON ASKED, AND GOD GAVE HIM THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM, CONTINUED
VERSE 1. But she reaches from one end to the other with full strength, and orders all things well.
Universalis translation. Wisdom deploys her strength from one end of the earth to the other, ordering all things for good.
VERSE 2. I loved her and sought her from my youth. I sought to take her for my bride. I became enamoured by her beauty.
Universalis translation. She it was I loved and searched for from my youth; I resolved to have her as my bride, I fell in love with her beauty.
I loved her. Solomon is in love with wisdom.
I … sought her from my youth. Even when he was a child, Solomon prized wisdom.
for my bride. Solomon saw wisdom as his spouse.
VERSE 3. She glorifies her noble birth by living with God. The Sovereign Lord of all loves her.
Universalis translation. Her closeness to God lends lustre to her noble birth, since the Lord of All has loved her.
VERSE 4. For she is initiated into the knowledge of God, and she chooses his works.
Universalis translation. Yes, she is an initiate in the mysteries of God’s knowledge, making choice of the works he is to do.
VERSE 5. But if riches are a desired possession in life, what is richer than wisdom, which makes all things?
Universalis translation. If in this life wealth be a desirable possession, what is more wealthy than Wisdom whose work is everywhere?
VERSE 6. And if understanding works, who more than wisdom is an architect of the things that exist?
Universalis translation. Or if it be the intellect that is at work, where is there a greater than Wisdom, designer of all?
VERSE 7. If a man loves righteousness, the fruits of wisdom’s labor are virtues, for she teaches soberness, understanding, righteousness, and courage. There is nothing in life more profitable for people than these.
Universalis translation. Or if it be virtue you love, why, virtues are the fruit of her labours, since it is she who teaches temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude; nothing in life is more serviceable to men than these.
In later centuries, those four qualities will be referred to as the cardinal virtues:
- Prudence
- Justice
- Fortitude
- Temperance
Those four virtues of mind and character form a virtue theory of ethics.
In virtue ethics, a virtue is a morally good disposition to think, feel, or act well.
Similarly, a vice is a morally bad disposition involving thinking, feeling, or acting badly.
VERSE 8. And if anyone longs for wide experience, she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come. She understands subtleties of speeches and interpretations of dark sayings. She foresees signs and wonders, and the issues of seasons and times.
Universalis translation. Or if you are eager for wide experience, she knows the past, she forecasts the future; she knows how to turn maxims, and solve riddles; she has foreknowledge of signs and wonders, of the unfolding of the ages and the times.
she knows the things of old. A wise person knows the facts of history, and is not doomed to repeat previous mistakes.
infers the things to come. A wise person can intuit what will happen in the future.
Acts 1:7. He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.
VERSE 9. Therefore I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she is one who would give me good counsel, and encourage me in cares and grief.
Universalis translation. I therefore determined to take her to share my life, knowing she would be my counsellor in prosperity, my comfort in cares and sorrow.
take her to live with me. Solomon wants wisdom to share his life.
give me good counsel. Solomon saw wisdom as his counsellor during times of prosperity.
encourage me in cares and grief. Solomon saw wisdom as his comfort during times of sorrow.
VERSE 10. Because of her, I will have glory among multitudes, and honor in the sight of elders, though I am young.
Universalis translation. Through her, I thought, I shall be acclaimed where people gather and honoured, while still a youth, among the elders.
VERSE 11. I will be found keen when I give judgement. I will be admired in the presence of rulers.
Universalis translation. I shall be reckoned shrewd when I sit in judgement, in presence of the great I shall be admired.
VERSE 12. When I am silent, they will wait for me. When I open my lips, they will heed what I say. If I continue speaking, they will put their hands on their mouths.
Universalis translation. They will wait on my silences, and pay attention when I speak; if I speak at some length, they will lay their hand on their lips.
VERSE 13. Because of her, I will have immortality, and leave behind an eternal memory to those who come after me.
Universalis translation. By means of her, immortality shall be mine, I shall leave an everlasting memory to my successors.
VERSE 14. I will govern peoples. Nations will be subjected to me.
Universalis translation. I shall govern peoples and nations will be subject to me;
VERSE 15. Dreaded monarchs will fear me when they hear of me. Among the people, I will show myself to be good, and courageous in war.
Universalis translation. at the sound of my name fearsome despots will be afraid; I shall show myself kind to my people and valiant in battle.
VERSE 16. When I come into my house, I will find rest with her. For conversation with her has no bitterness, and living with her has no pain, but gladness and joy.
Universalis translation. When I go home I shall take my ease with her, for nothing is bitter in her company, when life is shared with her there is no pain, gladness only, and joy.
VERSE 17. When I considered these things in myself, and thought in my heart how immortality is in kinship to wisdom,
Universalis translation. Inwardly revolving these thoughts, and considering in my heart that immortality is found in being kin to Wisdom
VERSE 18. and in her friendship is good delight, and in the labors of her hands is wealth that doesn’t fail, and understanding is in her companionship, and great renown in having fellowship with her words, I went about seeking how to take her to myself.
Universalis translation. pure contentment in her friendship, inexhaustible riches in what she does, intelligence in the cultivation of her society, and renown in the fellowship of her conversation, I went in all directions seeking by what means I might make her mine.
VERSE 19. Now I was a clever child, and received a good soul fell.
Universalis translation. I was a boy of happy disposition, I had received a good soul as my lot,
a clever child. Solomon was a boy of happy disposition.
Like all children, he was an innocent soul.
VERSE 20. Or rather, being good, I came into an undefiled body.
Universalis translation. or rather, being good, I had entered an undefiled body;
VERSE 21. But perceiving that I could not otherwise possess wisdom unless God gave her to me—yes, and to know and understand by whom the grace is given— I pleaded with the Lord and implored him, and with my whole heart I said,
Universalis translation. but knowing I could not master Wisdom but by the gift of God – a mark itself of understanding, to know whose the bounty was – I turned to the Lord.
WISDOM
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology
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