15 But may God grant that I may speak his judgement,

and to conceive thoughts worthy of what’s been given me;

because he’s one who guides even wisdom and who corrects the wise.

16 Because both we and our words are in his hand,

with all understanding and skill in various crafts.

17 Because he himself gave me an unerring knowledge of the things that are,

to know the structure of the universe and the operation of the elements;

18 the beginning, end, and middle of times;

the alternations of the solstices and the changes of seasons;

19 the circuits of years and the positions of stars;

20 the natures of living creatures and the raging of wild animals;

the violence of[fn] winds and the thoughts of men;

the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots.

21 All things that are either secret or manifest I learnt,

22 for wisdom, that’s the architect of all things, taught me.

Because there’s in her a spirit that’s quick to understand, holy,

unique, manifold, subtle, freely moving, clear in utterance, unpolluted,

distinct, invulnerable, loving what’s good, keen, unhindered,

23 beneficent, loving towards man, steadfast, sure, free from care, all-powerful, all-surveying,

and penetrating through all spirits that are quick to understand, pure, most subtle.

24 Because wisdom is more mobile than any motion.

Yes, she pervades and penetrates all things because of her purity.

25 Because she’s a breath of God’s power,

and a pure emanation of the Almighty’s glory.

Therefore nothing defiled can find entrance into her.

26 Because she’s a reflection of eternal light,

an unspotted mirror of the working of God,

and an image of his goodness.

27 Although she’s one, she has power to do all things.

Remaining in herself, she renews all things.

Throughout the generations passing into holy souls,

she makes friends of God and prophets.

28 Because God loves nothing as much as one who lives with wisdom.

29 Because she’s fairer than the sun,

and above all the constellations of the stars.

She’s better than light.

30 Because daylight yields to night,

but evil doesn’t prevail against wisdom.

8 But she reaches from one end to the other with full strength,

and orders all things well.