The Book of Wisdom (sometimes called The Wisdom of Solomon) was probably written between 220 and120 B.C. by a Jew living in Alexandria. He was probably acquainted with Greek thought since he refers to the four cardinal virtues of Aristotle, and God as "the author of beauty" as did Plato. Interestingly, it is included in the Biblical canon of the Catholic Church (between the Canticle of Canticles and Ecclesiasticus), while Protestants reject it because it seems to accept the pre-existence of the human soul.
In the Book, WISDOM is personified, and, The Catholic Encyclopedia has this to say about her: "her nature, attributes, and operation are no less than Divine. She is with God from eternity, the partner of His throne, and the sharer of His thoughts (viii, 3; ix, 4, 9). She is an emanation from His glory (vii, 25), the brightness of His everlasting light and the mirror of His power and goodness (vii, 26). Wisdom is one, and yet can do everything; although immutable, she makes all things new (vii, 27), with an activity greater than any motion (vii, 23). When God formed the world, Wisdom was present (ix, 9), and she gives to men all the virtues which they need in every station and condition of life (vii, 27; viii, 21; x, 1, 21; xi). Wisdom is also identified with the "Word" of God (ix, 1; etc.), and is represented as immanent with the "Holy Spirit", to whom a Divine nature and Divine operations are likewise ascribed (i, 5-7; vii, 22, 23; ix, 17).
"The New Testament writers appear perfectly familiar with this deutero-canonical writing (cf. Matt., xxvii, 42, 43, with Wis., ii, 13, 18; Rom., xi, 34, with Wis., ix, 13; Eph., vi, 13, 17, with Wis., v, 18, 19; Heb., i, 3, with Wis., vii, 26; etc."
Excerpt from Book of Wisdom
Chapter 7
1 I myself also am a mortal man, like all others, and of the race of him, that was first made of the earth, and in the womb of my mother I was fashioned to be flesh. 2 In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring. 3 And being born I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, that is made alike, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do. 4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares. 5 For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth. 6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out. 7 WHEREFORE I WISHED, AND UNDERSTANDING WAS GIVEN ME: AND I CALLED UPON GOD, AND THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM CAME UPON ME: 8 AND I PREFERRED HER BEFORE KINGDOMS AND THRONES, AND ESTEEMED RICHES NOTHING IN COMPARISON OF HER. 9 Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold in comparison of her, is as a little sand, and silver in respect to her shall be counted as clay. 10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out. 11 Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands, 12 And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the MOTHER of them all. 13 Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not. 14 For she is an infinite treasure to men! which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gift of discipline. 15 And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise: 16 For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works. 17 For he hath given me the true knowledge of the things that are: to know the disposition of the whole world, and the virtues of the elements, 18 The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons, 19 The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars, 20 The natures of living creatures, and rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and reasonings of men, the diversities of plants, and the virtues of roots, 21 And all such things as are hid and not foreseen, I have learned: for wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me. 22 For in her is the spirit of understanding: holy, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent, 23 Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits, intelligible, pure, subtile. 24 For wisdom is more active than all active things: and reacheth everywhere by reason of her purity. 25 For she is a vapour of the power of God, and a certain pure emanation of the glory of the almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her. 26 For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God’s majesty, and the image of his goodness. 27 And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God and prophets. 28 FOR GOD LOVETH NONE BUT HIM THAT DWELLETH WITH WISDOM. 29 FOR SHE IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN THE SUN, AND ABOVE ALL THE ORDER OF THE STARS: BEING COMPARED WITH THE LIGHT, SHE IS FOUND BEFORE IT. 30 FOR AFTER THIS COMETH NIGHT, BUT NO EVIL CAN OVERCOME WISDOM.
Chapter 8
1 She reacheth therefore from end to end mightily, and ordereth all things sweetly. 2 Her have I loved, and have sought her out from my youth, and have desired to take her for my spouse, and I became a lover of her beauty. 3 She glorifieth her nobility by being conversant with God: yea and the Lord of all things hath loved her. 4 For it is she that teacheth the knowledge of God, and is the chooser of his works.
1 God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word, 2 And by thy wisdom hast appointed man, that he should have dominion over the creature that was made by thee, 3 That he should order the world according to equity and justice, and execute justice with an upright heart: 4 Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne, and cast me not off from among thy children: 5 For I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid, a weak man, and of short time, and falling short of the understanding of judgment and laws. 6 For if one be perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded. 7 Thou hast chosen me to be king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters. 8 And hast commanded me to build a temple on thy holy mount, and an altar in the city of thy dwelling place, a resemblance of thy holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning: 9 And thy wisdom with thee, which knoweth thy works, which then also was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was agreeable to thy eyes, and what was right in thy commandments. 10 Send her out of thy holy heaven, and from the throne of thy majesty, that she may be with me, and may labour with me, that I may know what is acceptable with thee: 11 For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and shall lead me soberly in my works, and shall preserve me by her power.
* The complete book can be found in any Catholic Bible
