5. No king ever began life differently.
6. For all of us, there is one way into life, and there is one way out.
7. Realizing that I was only human, I prayed and was given understanding. The spirit of Wisdom came to me.
8. I regarded her more highly than any throne or crown. Wealth was nothing compared to her.
9. Precious jewels could not equal her worth; beside Wisdom all the gold in the world is a handful of sand, and silver is nothing more than clay.
10. I valued her more than health and good looks. Hers is a brightness that never grows dim, and I preferred it to any other light.
11. When Wisdom came to me, all good things came with her. She brought me untold riches.
12. I was happy with them all, because Wisdom had brought them to me. I had not realized before that she was the source of all these things.
13. I was sincere in learning from her, and now I am glad to share what I learnt.
14. No one can ever exhaust the treasures of Wisdom. Use those treasures and you are God's friends; he approves of what you learn from her.
15. I pray to God that my thoughts may be worthy of what I have learnt, and that I may speak according to his will. He is Wisdom's guide; he gives correction to those who are wise.
16. We are under his power and authority — we ourselves, our words, all our understanding and skills.