1 Merciful Lord Godof my ancestors,you created everythingby your word.
2 And by your Wisdom,you let us humans ruleall other creatures.
3 We are to be honest and fairin every decision,
4 so share with me the Wisdomthat sits beside your throne,and let me be a child of yours.
5 My mother was your servant,and so am I—a mere humanwhose life is short.I understand only a littleabout laws and judgments,
6 because even a perfect humanis really nothingwithout Wisdom from you.
7 You have chosen me to ruleand judge your people,
8 and here, on your holy mountainin the city where you live,you have commanded me to buildan altar and a temple,just like that sacred templeyou made at the beginning.
9 Wisdom has always been with you.She knows your mighty deeds,and she was therewhen you created the world.Wisdom knows what pleases you,and she knows what is rightaccording to your commands.
10 So from your glorious and holythrone in the heavens,please send Wisdomto work beside me and teach mewhat is pleasing to you.
11 Wisdom will guide mein all that I do,and her glory will guard me,because she knows everything.
12 Then you will approve my actions,and I will rule your peoplewith fairness,which will show that I am worthyto succeed my father as king.
13 No one can know what you,the Lord God,demand of us humans—
14 our reasoning is faulty,and our schemes often fail,
15 because our mortal bodiesare merely earthly tentsthat burden down our soulsand our anxious minds.
16 We struggle and know so littleabout things here on earth.How could we possibly learnabout things in heaven?
17 Who has known your thoughtsbefore you gave them Wisdomand your Holy Spirit?
18 Then they found the right path;they learned what pleased youand were saved by Wisdom.