Wisdom 8:1-16: a reflection

1But she reaches from one end to the other with full strength, and orders all things well. 2I loved her and sought her from my youth. I sought to take her for my bride. I became enamoured by her beauty. 3She glorifies her noble birth by living with God. The Sovereign Lord of all loves her. 4For she is initiated into the knowledge of God, and she chooses his works. 5But if riches are a desired possession in life, what is richer than wisdom, which makes all things? 6And if understanding is effective, who more than wisdom is an architect of the things that exist? 7If a man loves righteousness, the fruits of wisdom’s labor are virtues, for she teaches soberness, understanding, righteousness, and courage. There is nothing in life more profitable for people than these. 8And if anyone longs for wide experience, she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come. She understands subtleties of speeches and interpretations of dark sayings. She foresees signs and wonders, and the issues of seasons and times. 9Therefore I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she is one who would give me good counsel, and encourage me in cares and grief. 10Because of her, I will have glory among multitudes, and honor in the sight of elders, though I am young. 11I will be found keen when I give judgment. I will be admired in the presence of rulers. 12When I am silent, they will wait for me. When I open my lips, they will heed what I say. If I continue speaking, they will put their hands on their mouths. 13Because of her, I will have immortality, and leave behind an eternal memory to those who come after me. 14I will govern peoples. Nations will be subjected to me. 15Dreaded monarchs will fear me when they hear of me. Among the people, I will show myself to be good, and courageous in war. 16When I come into my house, I will find rest with her. For conversation with her has no bitterness, and living with her has no pain, but gladness and joy.

The writer speaks of his love and desire for wisdom, which teaches virtue, gives good counsel, and brings a deep, restful joy. I loved her and sought her from my youth, he says of wisdom; she teaches soberness, understanding, righteousness, and courage. There is nothing in life more profitable for people than these. And he adds that in her company there is no bitterness, but gladness and joy; when I come into my house, I will find rest with her. Wisdom, the writer says, is worth loving and seeking above riches, for she teaches the virtues, gives good counsel in cares and grief, and brings a restful joy her company alone can give. This shows that wisdom is worth loving and seeking, for she brings virtue, counsel, and joy. Love and seek wisdom, which teaches virtue and brings joy. Wisdom is more profitable than riches, teaching the virtues. In wisdom's company there is rest and gladness, not bitterness. Seek wisdom above riches, for she gives good counsel and joy.

Notice what the writer says wisdom gives, and why he loves and seeks her. He loved wisdom from his youth, sought her, desired her; and he tells why. Wisdom teaches the virtues: self-control, understanding, righteousness, courage, than which nothing in life is more profitable. Wisdom gives good counsel, and comforts in cares and grief. And in her company there is not bitterness but gladness and joy, a deep rest. The writer counts wisdom worth loving and seeking above riches, for she gives what riches cannot: virtue, counsel, and restful joy. This commends to us the love and pursuit of wisdom. We often seek other things, riches, pleasures, success, as the goods worth pursuing; but wisdom is worth seeking above these, for she gives deeper and more lasting goods: the virtues that make us good, good counsel that guides us, comfort in our troubles, and a joy and rest that riches cannot give. To love and seek wisdom, to pursue her as a treasure worth more than gold, is to seek what truly enriches and gladdens life. And for us, the beginning and heart of true wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and wisdom is found supremely in Christ. We do well to love and seek wisdom, valuing her above riches, for she brings virtue, counsel, and joy. Love and seek wisdom above riches, for she truly enriches life. Wisdom gives virtue, counsel, and joy that riches cannot. In wisdom's company there is rest and gladness. Pursue wisdom as a treasure worth more than gold.

That is worth taking to heart, for wisdom is worth loving and seeking above riches, for she brings virtue, good counsel, and a restful joy, as the writer loved and sought wisdom from his youth. We often seek riches, pleasures, or success as the goods worth pursuing; but wisdom is worth seeking above these, for she gives the virtues, good counsel, comfort in trouble, and a joy riches cannot give. Wisdom truly enriches. Love and seek wisdom above riches, valuing her as a treasure worth more than gold, for she brings virtue, counsel, and joy. Love and seek wisdom above riches, valuing her as a treasure worth more than gold, for she brings virtue, good counsel, comfort in trouble, and a restful joy, as the writer loved and sought wisdom from his youth, saying she teaches soberness, understanding, righteousness, and courage, than which nothing in life is more profitable, gives good counsel, comforts in cares and grief, and in her company brings not bitterness but gladness and joy and rest; for wisdom gives what riches cannot, the virtues that make us good, the counsel that guides us, comfort in our troubles, and a joy and rest that riches cannot give, so that to love and seek wisdom and pursue her as a treasure worth more than gold is to seek what truly enriches and gladdens life, and for us the beginning and heart of true wisdom is the fear of the Lord and wisdom is found supremely in Christ, so that we do well to love and seek wisdom, valuing her above riches, for she brings virtue, counsel, and joy.

Lord, the writer speaks of his love and desire for wisdom, which teaches virtue, gives good counsel, and brings a deep, restful joy. I loved her and sought her from my youth, he says of wisdom; she teaches soberness, understanding, righteousness, and courage. There is nothing in life more profitable for people than these. And he adds that in her company there is no bitterness, but gladness and joy; when I come into my house, I will find rest with her. Wisdom, the writer says, is worth loving and seeking above riches, for she teaches the virtues, gives good counsel in cares and grief, and brings a restful joy her company alone can give. Show me what the writer says wisdom gives, and why he loves and seeks her. He loved wisdom from his youth, sought her, desired her. Wisdom teaches the virtues: self-control, understanding, righteousness, courage, than which nothing in life is more profitable. Wisdom gives good counsel, and comforts in cares and grief. And in her company there is not bitterness but gladness and joy, a deep rest. The writer counts wisdom worth loving above riches, for she gives what riches cannot. This commends to me the love and pursuit of wisdom. I often seek other things, riches, pleasures, success, as the goods worth pursuing; but wisdom is worth seeking above these, for she gives deeper and more lasting goods: the virtues that make me good, good counsel that guides me, comfort in my troubles, and a joy and rest that riches cannot give. And for me, the beginning and heart of true wisdom is the fear of you, and wisdom is found supremely in Christ. Take that to my heart, for wisdom is worth loving and seeking above riches. Help me love and seek wisdom, Lord, valuing her above riches as a treasure worth more than gold, for she brings virtue, counsel, and joy that riches cannot give, and let me find her supremely in Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom.