such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life.

8:8. And if a man desire much knowledge: she knoweth things past, and
judgeth of things to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and
the solutions of arguments: she knoweth signs and wonders before they be
done, and the events of times and ages.

8:9. I purposed, therefore, to take her to me to live with me: knowing
that she will communicate to me of her good things, and will be a
comfort in my cares and grief.

8:10. For her sake I shall have glory among the multitude, and honour
with the ancients, though I be young:

8:11. And I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be
admired in the sight of the mighty, and the faces of princes shall
wonder at me.

8:12. They shall wait for me when I hold my peace, and they shall look
upon me when I speak; and if I talk much, they shall lay their hands on
their mouth.

8:13. Moreover, by the means of her I shall have immortality: and shall
leave behind me an everlasting memory to them that come after me.

8:14. I shall set the people in order: and nations shall be subject to
me.

8:15. Terrible kings hearing, shall be afraid of me: among the multitude
I shall be found good, and valiant in war.

8:16. When I go into my house, I shall repose myself with her: for her
conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness, but
joy and gladness.

8:17. Thinking these things with myself, and pondering them in my heart,
that to be allied to wisdom is immortality,

8:18. And that there is great delight in her friendship, and
inexhaustible riches in the works of her hands, and in the exercise of
conference with her, wisdom, and glory in the communication of her
words: I went about seeking, that I might take her to myself.

8:19. And I was a witty child, and had received a good soul.

8:20. And whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled.

8:21. And as I knew that I could not otherwise be continent, except God
gave it, and this also was a point of wisdom, to know whose gift it was,
I went to the Lord, and besought him, and said with my whole heart:

Wisdom Chapter 9

Solomon's prayer for wisdom.

9:1. God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with
thy word,

9:2. And by thy wisdom hast appointed man, that he should have dominion
over the creature that was made by thee,

9:3. That he should order the world according to equity and justice, and