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,
Wherefore, as I had no advantage over others naturally, I asked for the wisdom requisite to fill so important an office, 3 Kings ix. 10. (Calmet) — Solomon, whose sayings are here recorded, prayed for wisdom. (Worthington)
Preferred. I did not ask for extensive dominions, &c. (Calmet) — In Proverbs viii. 10., &c., as well as here, some things refer to the uncreated, and others to created wisdom. (Menochius)
Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known: and men learned in heart, in wisdom.13 Return, O Lord, how long? and be entreated in favour of thy servants.14 We are filled in the morning with thy mercy: and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.15 We have rejoiced for the days in which thou hast humbled us: for the years in which we have seen evils.16 Look upon thy servants and upon their works: and direct their children.17 And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and direct thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.
Thus, if Isaiah says, "The everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth"; and Susanna said, "O everlasting God";42 and Baruch wrote, "I will cry to the Everlasting in my days," and shortly after, "My hope is in the Everlasting, that he will have you, and joy is come to me from the holy One"; yet forasmuch as the apostle, writing to the Hebrews, says, "Who being the radiance of his glory and the expression of his person";44 and David too in the ninetieth psalm, "And the brightness of the Lord be on us," and, "In your light shall we see light," who has so little sense as to doubt the eternity of the Son? For when did humankind see light without the brightness of its radiance, that he may say of the Son, "There was once, when he was not," or "Before his generation he was not."
For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.13 Neither is there any creature invisible in his sight: but all things are naked and open to his eyes, to whom our speech is.
"Thine arrows," he says, "are sharp," -God's everywhere-flying precepts (arrows) threatening the exposure of every heart, and carrying compunction and transfixion to each conscience: "peoples shall fall beneath thee," -of course, in adoration.
And when he was gone forth into the way, a certain man running up and kneeling before him, asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may receive life everlasting?18 And Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? None is good but one, that is God.19 Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, bear not false witness, do no fraud, honour thy father and mother.20 But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth.21 And Jesus looking on him, loved him, and said to him: One thing is wanting unto thee: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.22 Who being struck sad at that saying, went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.23 And Jesus looking round about, saith to his disciples: How hardly shall they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God!24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus again answering, saith to them: Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God?25 It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.26 Who wondered the more, saying among themselves: Who then can be saved?27 And Jesus looking on them, saith: With men it is impossible; but not with God: for all things are possible with God.28 And Peter began to say unto him: Behold, we have left all things, and have followed thee.29 Jesus answering, said: Amen I say to you, there is no man who hath left house or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,30 Who shall not receive an hundred times as much, now in this time; houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions: and in the world to come life everlasting.
(in Evan. tom. xv. 14) For in that He loved, or kissed himp, He appears to affirm the truth of his profession, in saying that he had fulfilled all those things; for on applying His mind to him, He saw that the man answered with a good conscience.
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)