Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom

(1 Kings 3:3–9; Wis 7:7–22a)

9 “O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy,

who have made all things by your word,

2 and by your wisdom have formed humankind

to have dominion over the creatures you have made,

3 and rule the world in holiness and righteousness,

and pronounce judgment in uprightness of soul,

4 give me the wisdom that sits by your throne,

and do not reject me from among your servants.

5 For I am your servanta the son of your serving girl,

a man who is weak and short-lived,

with little understanding of judgment and laws;

6 for even one who is perfect among human beings

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

7 You have chosen me to be king of your people

and to be judge over your sons and daughters.

8 You 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.

9 With 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.

10 Send her forth from the holy heavens,

and from the throne of your glory send her,

that she may labor at my side,

and that I may learn what is pleasing to you.

11 For she knows and understands all things,

and she will guide me wisely in my actions

and guard me with her glory.

12 Then my works will be acceptable,

and I shall judge your people justly,

and shall be worthy of the throneb of my father.

13 For who can learn the counsel of God?

Or who can discern what the Lord wills?

14 For the reasoning of mortals is worthless,

and our designs are likely to fail;

15 for a perishable body weighs down the soul,

and this earthy tent burdens the thoughtfulc mind.

16 We can hardly guess at what is on earth,

and what is at hand we find with labor;

but who has traced out what is in the heavens?

17 Who has learned your counsel,

unless you have given wisdom

and sent your holy spirit from on high?

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

and people were taught what pleases you,

and were saved by wisdom.”