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8:1  Indeed, she spans the world from end to end mightily and governs all things well.
8:2  Her I loved and sought after from my youth; I sought to take her for my bride and was enamored of her beauty.
8:3  She adds to nobility the splendor of companionship with God; even the Ruler of all loved her.
8:4  For she leads into the understanding of God, and chooses his works.
8:5  If riches are desirable in life, what is richer than Wisdom, who produces all things?
8:6  And if prudence is at work, who in the world is a better artisan than she?
8:7  Or if one loves righteousness, whose works are virtues, She teaches moderation and prudence, righteousness and fortitude, and nothing in life is more useful than these.
8:8  Or again, if one yearns for wide experience, she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come. She understands the turns of phrases and the solutions of riddles; signs and wonders she knows in advance and the outcome of times and ages.
8:9  So I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she would be my counselor while all was well, and my comfort in care and grief.
8:10  Because of her I have glory among the multitudes, and esteem from the elders, though I am but a youth.
8:11  I shall become keen in judgment, and shall be a marvel before rulers.
8:12  They will wait while I am silent and listen when I speak; and when I shall speak the more, they will put their hands upon their mouths.
8:13  Because of her I shall have immortality and leave to those after me an everlasting memory.
8:14  I shall govern peoples, and nations will be my subjects—
8:15  tyrannical princes, hearing of me, will be afraid; in the assembly I shall appear noble, and in war courageous.
8:16  Entering my house, I shall take my repose beside her; For association with her involves no bitterness and living with her no grief, but rather joy and gladness.
8:17  Reflecting on these things, and considering in my heart That immortality lies in kinship with Wisdom,
8:18  great delight in love of her, and unfailing riches in the works of her hands; And that in associating with her there is prudence, and fair renown in sharing her discourses, I went about seeking to take her for my own.
8:19  Now, I was a well-favored child, and I came by a noble nature;
8:20  or rather, being noble, I attained an unblemished body.
8:21  And knowing that I could not otherwise possess her unless God gave it— and this, too, was prudence, to know whose gift she is— I went to the Lord and besought him, and said with all my heart: