Saturday, January 9, 2021

"in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God"

Ilya Veselov, YICCA
"in [wisdom] there is a spirit that is intelligent [(νοερόν)], holy [(ἅγιον)], unique [(μονογενές)], manifold [(πολυμερές)], subtle [(λεπτόν)], mobile [(εὐκίνητον)], clear, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen, irresistible, beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety [(ἀμέριμνον)], all-powerful, overseeing all [(πανεπίσκοπον)], and penetrating through [(διὰ . . . χωροῦν)] all spirits that are intelligent [(νοερῶν)] and pure [(καθαρῶν)] and most subtle [(λεπτοτάτων)]. For wisdom is more mobile than any motion [(πάσης . . . κινήσεως κινητικώτερον)]; because of her pureness [(τὴν καθαρότητα)] she pervades [(διήκει)] and penetrates [(χωρεῖ)] all things. For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into [(εἰς . . . παρεμπίπτει)] her. For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. Though she is but one [(μία)], she can do all things, and while remaining in [(μένουσα ἐν)] herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into [(εἰς . . . μεταβαίνουσα)] holy [(ὁσίας)] souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets; for God loves nothing so much as the man who lives with wisdom. For she is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail."

     Wisdom of Solomon 7:22b-30 RSV.  Greek from here.

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