39 He seeks out the wisdom of all the ancients,

and is concerned with prophecies;

2 he preserves the sayings of the famous

and penetrates the subtleties of parables;

3 he seeks out the hidden meanings of proverbs

and is at home with the obscurities of parables.

4 He serves among the great

and appears before rulers;

he travels in foreign lands

and learns what is good and evil in the human lot.

5 He sets his heart to rise early

to seek the Lord who made him,

and to petition the Most High;

he opens his mouth in prayer

and asks pardon for his sins.

6 If the great Lord is willing,

he will be filled with the spirit of understanding;

he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own

and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.

7 The Lorda will direct his counsel and knowledge,

as he meditates on his mysteries.

8 He will show the wisdom of what he has learned,

and will glory in the law of the Lord’s covenant.

9 Many will praise his understanding;

it will never be blotted out.

His memory will not disappear,

and his name will live through all generations.

10 Nations will speak of his wisdom,

and the congregation will proclaim his praise.

11 If he lives long, he will leave a name greater than a thousand,

and if he goes to rest, it is enoughb for him.