1<\/sup>Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily: and sweetly doth she order all things.<\/span> <\/p>\n 2<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 3<\/sup>In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility: yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her.<\/span> <\/p>\n 4<\/sup>For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.<\/span> <\/p>\n 5<\/sup>If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?<\/span> <\/p>\n 6<\/sup>And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she?<\/span> <\/p>\n 7<\/sup>And if a man love righteousness her labours are virtues: for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as en can have nothing more profitable in their life.<\/span> <\/p>\n 8<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 9<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 10<\/sup>For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the elders, though I be young.<\/span> <\/p>\n 11<\/sup>I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men.<\/span> <\/p>\n 12<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 13<\/sup>Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me.<\/span> <\/p>\n 14<\/sup>I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me.<\/span> <\/p>\n 15<\/sup>Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.<\/span> <\/p>\n 16<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 17<\/sup>Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;<\/span> <\/p>\n 18<\/sup>And great pleasure it is to have her 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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 19<\/sup>For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.<\/span> <\/p>\n 20<\/sup>Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled.<\/span> <\/p>\n 21<\/sup>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,<\/span> <\/p>\n