The Apocrypha – The Holy Spirit flows through Grace

Wisdom

Isaiah Chapter 7:13 – 14

“Then Isaiah said, “Hear then O House of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look the virgin is with child, and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.”

Wisdom of Solomon Chapter 6:12 – 20

12 Wisdom is radiant and unfading,
and she is easily discerned by those who love her,
and is found by those who seek her. 
13 She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her. 
14 One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,
for she will be found sitting at the gate. 
15 To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding,
and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care, 
16 because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,
and she graciously appears to them in their paths,
and meets them in every thought.

17 The beginning of wisdom* is the most sincere desire for instruction,
and concern for instruction is love of her, 
18 and love of her is the keeping of her laws,
and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality, 
19 and immortality brings one near to God; 
20 so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.

 

Wisdom Chapter 7:23 – 30

There is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy,
unique, manifold, subtle,
mobile, clear, unpolluted,
distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen,
irresistible, beneficent, humane,
steadfast, sure, free from anxiety,
all-powerful, overseeing all,
and penetrating through all spirits
that are intelligent, pure, and altogether subtle. 
For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;
because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things. 
For she is a breath of the power of God,
and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. 
For she is a reflection of eternal light,
a spotless mirror of the working of God,
and an image of his goodness. 
Although she is but one, she can do all things,
and while remaining in herself, she renews all things;
in every generation she passes into holy souls
and makes them friends of God, and prophets; 
for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom. 
She is more beautiful than the sun,
and excels every constellation of the stars.
Compared with the light she is found to be superior, 
for it is succeeded by the night,
but against wisdom evil does not prevail.

Wisdom Chapter 8:10-15

10 Because of her I shall have glory among the multitudes
and honour in the presence of the elders, though I am young. 
11 I shall be found keen in judgement,
and in the sight of rulers I shall be admired. 
12 When I am silent they will wait for me,
and when I speak they will give heed;
if I speak at greater length,
they will put their hands on their mouths. 
13 Because of her I shall have immortality,
and leave an everlasting remembrance to those who come after me. 
14 I shall govern peoples,
and nations will be subject to me; 
15 dread monarchs will be afraid of me when they hear of me;
among the people I shall show myself capable, and courageous in war.

 

Sirach Chapter 4:11-16

11 Wisdom teaches* her children
 and gives help to those who seek her. 
12 Whoever loves her loves life,
 and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy. 
13 Whoever holds her fast inherits glory,
   and the Lord blesses the place she* enters. 
14 Those who serve her minister to the Holy One;
   the Lord loves those who love her. 
15 Those who obey her will judge the nations,
   and all who listen to her will live secure. 
16 If they remain faithful, they will inherit her;
   their descendants will also obtain her.

Sirach Chapter 6:22 – 31

22 For wisdom is like her name;
   she is not readily perceived by many. 23 Listen, my child, and accept my judgement;
   do not reject my counsel. 
24 Put your feet into her fetters,
   and your neck into her collar. 
25 Bend your shoulders and carry her,
   and do not fret under her bonds. 
26 Come to her with all your soul,
   and keep her ways with all your might. 
27 Search out and seek, and she will become known to you;
   and when you get hold of her, do not let her go. 
28 For at last you will find the rest she gives,
   and she will be changed into joy for you. 
29 Then her fetters will become for you a strong defence,
   and her collar a glorious robe. 
30 Her yoke* is a golden ornament,
   and her bonds a purple cord. 
31 You will wear her like a glorious robe,
   and put her on like a splendid crown.*

Sirach 19:20

20 The whole of wisdom is fear of the Lord,
 and in all wisdom there is the fulfilment of the law.*

 

Sirach 39:13 – 15

13 Listen to me, faithful children,
and blossom
like a rose growing near 
a running stream.14 Send forth a fragrant aroma like incense,
 and bloom with blossoms like a lily.
Raise your voice, give praise together, and bless the Lord for all his works. 15 Tell of the greatness of his name,
 and give thanks when you praise him 
with songs on your lips and with harps.

 

2Esdras Chapter 2:30 – 32

“Rejoice, O mother, with your children, because I will deliver you, says the Lord. 31 Remember your children that sleep, because I will bring them out of the hiding places of the earth, and will show mercy to them; for I am merciful, says the Lord Almighty. 32 Embrace your children until I come, and proclaim mercy to them; because my springs run over, and my grace will not fail.”

 

4Maccabees 18: 7

7 “I was a pure virgin and did not go outside my father’s house; but I guarded the rib from which woman was made. 8 No seducer corrupted me on a desert plain, nor did the destroyer, the deceitful serpent, defile the purity of my virginity.