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Old Testament Reading - The gift of knowledge

⁷Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me;
I called on God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
⁸I preferred her to sceptres and thrones,
and I accounted wealth as nothing in comparison with her.
⁹Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem,
because all gold is but a little sand in her sight,
and silver will be accounted as clay before her.
¹⁰I loved her more than health and beauty,
and I chose to have her rather than light,
because her radiance never ceases.
¹¹All good things came to me along with her,
and in her hands uncounted wealth.
¹²I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom leads them;
but I did not know that she was their mother.
¹³I learned without guile and I impart without grudging;
I do not hide her wealth,
¹⁴for it is an unfailing treasure for mortals;
those who get it obtain friendship with God,
commended for the gifts that come from instruction.

¹⁵May God grant me to speak with judgement,
and to have thoughts worthy of what I have received;
for he is the guide even of wisdom
and the corrector of the wise.
¹⁶For both we and our words are in his hand,
as are all understanding and skill in crafts.