1 Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily: and sweetly doth she order all things.

1 Attingit ergo a fine usque ad finem fortiter,
et disponit omnia suaviter.

2 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.

2 ¶ Hanc amavi, et exquisivi a juventute mea,
et quæsivi sponsam mihi eam assumere,
et amator factus sum formæ illius.

3 In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility: yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her.

3 Generositatem illius glorificat,
contubernium habens Dei;
sed et omnium Dominus dilexit illam.

4 For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.

4 Doctrix enim est disciplinæ Dei,
et electrix operum illius.

5 If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?

5 Et si divitiæ appetuntur in vita,
quid sapientia locupletius quæ operatur omnia?

6 And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she?

6 Si autem sensus operatur,
quis horum quæ sunt magis quam illa est artifex?

7 And if a man love righteousness, her labours are virtues: for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as men can have nothing more profitable in their life.

7 Et si justitiam quis diligit,
labores hujus magnas habent virtutes:
sobrietatem enim et prudentiam docet,
et justitiam, et virtutem,
quibus utilius nihil est in vita hominibus.

8 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.

8 Et si multitudinem scientiæ desiderat quis,
scit præterita, et de futuris æstimat;
scit versutias sermonum, et dissolutiones argumentorum;
signa et monstra scit antequam fiant,
et eventus temporum et sæculorum.

9 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.

9 Proposui ergo hanc adducere mihi ad convivendum,
sciens quoniam mecum communicabit de bonis,
et erit allocutio cogitationis et tædii mei.

10 For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the elders, though I be young.

10 Habebo propter hanc claritatem ad turbas,
et honorem apud seniores juvenis;

11 I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men.

11 et acutus inveniar in judicio,
et in conspectu potentium admirabilis ero,
et facies principum mirabuntur me:

12 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.

12 tacentem me sustinebunt,
et loquentem me respicient,
et sermocinante me plura, manus ori suo imponent.

13 Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me.

13 Præterea habebo per hanc immortalitatem,
et memoriam æternam his qui post me futuri sunt relinquam.

14 I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me.

14 Disponam populos,
et nationes mihi erunt subditæ:

15 Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.

15 timebunt me audientes reges horrendi.
In multitudine videbor bonus,
et in bello fortis.

16 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.

16 Intrans in domum meam, conquiescam cum illa:
non enim habet amaritudinem conversatio illius,
nec tædium convictus illius,
sed lætitiam et gaudium.

17 Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;

17 Hæc cogitans apud me
et commemorans in corde meo,
quoniam immortalitas est in cognatione sapientiæ,

18 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.

18 et in amicitia illius delectatio bona,
et in operibus manuum illius honestas sine defectione,
et in certamine loquelæ illius sapientia,
et præclaritas in communicatione sermonum ipsius:
circuibam quærens, ut mihi illam assumerem.

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

19 Puer autem eram ingeniosus,
et sortitus sum animam bonam.

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

20 Et cum essem magis bonus,
veni ad corpus incoinquinatum.

21 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,

21 Et ut scivi quoniam aliter non possem esse continens, nisi Deus det;
et hoc ipsum erat sapientiæ, scire cujus esset hoc donum:
adii Dominum, et deprecatus sum illum,
et dixi ex totis præcordiis meis: