6:12: Wisdom is radiant and unfading,
and she is easily discerned by those who love her,
and is found by those who seek her.
13: She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
14: He who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,
for he will find her sitting at his gates.
15: To fix one's thought on her is perfect understanding,
and he who is vigilant on her account will
soon be free from care,
16: because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,
and she graciously appears to them in their paths,
and meets them in every thought.
17: The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere
desire for instruction,
and concern for instruction is love of her,
18: and love of her is the keeping of her laws,
and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,
19: and immortality brings one near to God;
20: so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.
21: Therefore if you delight in thrones and scepters,
O monarchs over the peoples,
honor wisdom, that you may reign for ever.
22: I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be,
and I will hide no secrets from you,
but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation,
and make knowledge of her clear,
and I will not pass by the truth;
23: neither will I travel in the company of sickly envy,
for envy does not associate with wisdom.
Web Author: Charles Wohlers
The Lectionary Page