17
When I considered these things inwardly, and thought upon them in my mind, that in kinship with wisdom there is immortality,
18
and in friendship with her, pure delight, and in the labors of her hands, unfailing wealth, and in the experience of her company, understanding, and renown in sharing her words, I went about seeking how to get her for myself.
19
As a child I was by nature well endowed, and a good soul fell to my lot;
20
or rather, being good, I entered an undefiled body.
21
But I perceived that I would not possess wisdom unless God gave her to me -- and it was a mark of insight to know whose gift she was -- so I appealed to the Lord and besought him, and with my whole heart I said:
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.