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