First Reading

Wisdom breathes life into her children

and admonishes those who seek her.

He who loves her loves life;

those who seek her will be embraced by the Lord.

He who holds her fast inherits glory;

wherever he dwells, the Lord bestows blessings.

Those who serve her serve the Holy One;

those who love her the Lord loves.

He who obeys her judges nations;

he who hearkens to her dwells in her inmost chambers.

If one trusts her, he will possess her;

his descendants too will inherit her.

She walks with him as a stranger

and at first she puts him to the test;

Fear and dread she brings upon him

and tries him with her discipline

until she try him by her laws and trust his soul.

Then she comes back to bring him happiness

and reveal her secrets to them

and she will heap upon him

treasures of knowledge and an understanding of justice.

But if he fails her, she will abandon him

and deliver him into the hands of despoilers.