Wisdom of Solomon 9

1 God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy, you made everything by your word 2 and formed humanity through your wisdom to rule over the created things you made, 3 to govern the world in holiness and righteousness and carry out judgment with an upright soul. 4 Give me wisdom, who sits beside your throne, and do not reject me from among your servants. 5 I am your slave and the son of your female slave, a weak person whose life is brief and whose understanding of judgment and laws is limited. 6 Even if someone is perfect among human beings, he will be regarded as nothing if your wisdom is absent from him.

7 You chose me to be king of your people and judge of your sons and daughters. 8 You commanded me to build a temple on your holy mountain and an altar in the city where you dwell, modeled after the holy tent you prepared from the beginning. 9 Wisdom is with you. She knows your works, was present when you made the world, and knows what is pleasing in your sight and right according to your commands. 10 Send her out from the holy heavens and from your glorious throne. Let her be present and labor beside me so that I may know what pleases you. 11 She knows and understands everything. She will guide my actions with self-control and guard me in her glory. 12 Then my works will be acceptable. I will judge your people righteously and will be worthy of my father’s throne.

13 What human being can know God’s counsel? Who can comprehend what the Lord wills? 14 The thoughts of mortals are weak, and our plans are uncertain. 15 A perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthly tent burdens a mind full of cares. 16 We can barely infer the things on earth and labor to discover what lies before us. Who has searched out the things in heaven? 17 Who has known your counsel unless you gave wisdom and sent your Holy Spirit from on high? 18 In this way the paths of those living on earth were made straight, people were taught what pleases you, and they were saved through wisdom.