9:1
'God of our ancestors, Lord of mercy, who by your word have made the universe,
9:2
and in your wisdom have fitted human beings to rule the creatures that you have made,
9:3
to govern the world in holiness and saving justice and in honesty of soul to dispense fair judgement,
9:4
grant me Wisdom, consort of your throne, and do not reject me from the number of your children.
9:5
For I am your servant, son of your serving maid, a feeble man, with little time to live, with small understanding of justice and the laws.
9:6
Indeed, were anyone perfect among the sons of men, if he lacked the Wisdom that comes from you, he would still count for nothing.
9:7
'You have chosen me to be king over your people, to be judge of your sons and daughters.
9:8
You have bidden me build a temple on your holy mountain, and an altar in the city where you have pitched your tent, a copy of the holy Tent which you prepared at the beginning.
9:9
With you is Wisdom, she who knows your works, she who was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your eyes and what agrees with your commandments.
9:10
Despatch her from the holy heavens, send her forth from your throne of glory to help me and to toil with me and teach me what is pleasing to you;
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since she knows and understands everything she will guide me prudently in my actions and will protect me with her glory.
9:12
Then all I do will be acceptable, I shall govern your people justly and be worthy of my father's throne.
9:13
'What human being indeed can know the intentions of God? And who can comprehend the will of the Lord?
9:14
For the reasoning of mortals is inadequate, our attitudes of mind unstable;
9:15
for a perishable body presses down the soul, and this tent of clay weighs down the mind with its many cares.
9:16
It is hard enough for us to work out what is on earth, laborious to know what lies within our reach; who, then, can discover what is in the heavens?
9:17
And who could ever have known your will, had you not given Wisdom and sent your holy Spirit from above?
9:18
Thus have the paths of those on earth been straightened and people have been taught what pleases you, and have been saved, by Wisdom.'
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