Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom

1‘O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy,

who have made all things by your word,

2and by your wisdom have formed humankind

to have dominion over the creatures you have made,

3and rule the world in holiness and righteousness,

and pronounce judgement in uprightness of soul,

4give me the wisdom that sits by your throne,

and do not reject me from among your servants.

5For I am your servant,9.5 Gk slave the son of your servant-girl,

a man who is weak and short-lived,

with little understanding of judgement and laws;

6for even one who is perfect among human beings

will be regarded as nothing without the wisdom that comes from you.

7You have chosen me to be king of your people

and to be judge over your sons and daughters.

8You 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.

9With 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.

10Send 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.

11For she knows and understands all things,

and she will guide me wisely in my actions

and guard me with her glory.

12Then my works will be acceptable,

and I shall judge your people justly,

and shall be worthy of the throne9.12 Gk thrones of my father.

13For who can learn the counsel of God?

Or who can discern what the Lord wills?

14For the reasoning of mortals is worthless,

and our designs are likely to fail;

15for a perishable body weighs down the soul,

and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtful9.15 Or anxious mind.

16We 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?

17Who has learned your counsel,

unless you have given wisdom

and sent your holy spirit from on high?

18And thus the paths of those on earth were set right,

and people were taught what pleases you,

and were saved by wisdom.’