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9:1  ‘O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy, who have made all things by your word,
9:2  and by your wisdom have formed humankind to have dominion over the creatures you have made,
9:3  and rule the world in holiness and righteousness, and pronounce judgement in uprightness of soul,
9:4  give me the wisdom that sits by your throne, and do not reject me from among your servants.
9:5  For I am your servant, the son of your servant-girl, a man who is weak and short-lived, with little understanding of judgement and laws;
9:6  for even one who is perfect among human beings will be regarded as nothing without the wisdom that comes from you.
9:7  You have chosen me to be king of your people and to be judge over your sons and daughters.
9:8  You have given command to build a temple on your holy mountain, and an altar in the city of your habitation, a copy of the holy tent that you prepared from the beginning.
9:9  With you is wisdom, she who knows your works and was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments.
9:10  Send her forth from the holy heavens, and from the throne of your glory send her, that she may labour at my side, and that I may learn what is pleasing to you.
9:11  For she knows and understands all things, and she will guide me wisely in my actions and guard me with her glory.
9:12  Then my works will be acceptable, and I shall judge your people justly, and shall be worthy of the throne of my father.
9:13  For who can learn the counsel of God? Or who can discern what the Lord wills?
9:14  For the reasoning of mortals is worthless, and our designs are likely to fail;
9:15  for a perishable body weighs down the soul, and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful mind.
9:16  We can hardly guess at what is on earth, and what is at hand we find with labour; but who has traced out what is in the heavens?
9:17  Who has learned your counsel, unless you have given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?
9:18  And thus the paths of those on earth were set right, and people were taught what pleases you, and were saved by wisdom.’