First reading
All wisdom is from the Lord, and with him it remains forever. The sand of the sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity — who can count them? The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth, the depth of the abyss, and wisdom — who can search them out?
Wisdom was created before all other things, and prudent understanding from eternity. The source of wisdom is God’s word in the highest heaven, and her ways are the eternal commandments. The root of wisdom — to whom has it been revealed? Her subtleties — who knows them?
The knowledge of wisdom — to whom was it manifested? And her abundant experience — who has understood it? There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared, seated upon his throne — the Lord. It is he who created her; he saw her and took her measure; he poured her out upon all his works, upon all the living according to his gift; he lavished her upon those who love him.