Chukmah Shalumah (Wisdom of Solomon) — 7

Shalumah is Like Other Mortals

1 I also am mortal, like all men, a descendant of the first-formed child of the Arath; and in the womb of a mother I was molded into flesh,

2 within the period of ten months, compacted with blood, from the seed of a man and the pleasure of marriage.

3 And when I was born, I began to breathe the common air, and fell upon the kindred of the Arath, and my first sound was a cry, like that of all.

4 I was nursed with care in swaddling cloths.

5 For no king has had a different beginning of existence;

6 there is for all mankind one entrance into life, and a common departure.

Shalumah’s Respect for Wisdom

7 Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, and the Ruach of wisdom came to me.

8 I preferred wisdom to scepters and thrones, and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with wisdom.

9 Neither did I liken to wisdom any priceless gem, because all gold is but a little sand in the sight of wisdom, and silver will be accounted as clay before wisdom.

10 I loved wisdom more than health and beauty, and I chose to have wisdom rather than light, because wisdom radiance never ceases.

11 All good things came to me along with wisdom, and in the hands of wisdom there is uncounted wealth.

12 I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom leads them; but I did not know that wisdom was their mother.

13 I learned without guile and I impart without grudging; I do not hide the wealth of wisdom,

14 for it is an unfailing treasure for men; those who get it obtain friendship with 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, commended for the gifts that come from instruction.

Shalumah Prays for Wisdom

15 May 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH grant me, so that I can speak with judgment and have thoughts worthy of what I have received, for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is the guide even of wisdom and the corrector of the wise.

16 For both we and our words are in the hand of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, as they that have all understanding and skill in crafts.

17 For it is 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH who gave me unerring knowledge of what exists, to know the structure of the world and the activity of the elements;

18 the beginning and end and middle of times, the alternations of the solstices and the changes of the seasons,

19 the cycles of the year and the constellations of the stars,

20 the natures of animals and the tempers of wild beasts, the powers of ruachym and the reasonings of men, the varieties of plants and the virtues of roots;

21 I learned both what is secret and what is manifest,

22 for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. For in Wisdom there is a Ruach that is intelligent, Qadash, unique, manifold, subtle, mobile, clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, 

23 beneficent, kind-hearted, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety, all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits that are intelligent and pure and most subtle.

24 For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.

25 For wisdom is a breath of the power of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, and a pure emanation of the Kabad of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.

26 For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, and an image of His goodness.

27 Though she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation wisdom passes into Qadash souls and makes them friends of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, and Nabyms;

28 for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH loves nothing so much as the man who lives with wisdom.

29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars, Compared with the light she is found to be superior,

30 for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail.