THE 8th DAY - BOOK OF ECCLESIASTICUS
Ch.24, v. 1-34.
Wisdom is about to speak Her own praises,
Before Her own people She proclaims Her Glory.
In the Assembly of the Most High She opens Her mouth
To declare Her worth before His host.
In the midst of the Elect She will speak of Her renown,
And exalt Her glory among the Blessed11
‘I came forth from the mouth of the Most High,
‘And covered the earth like a mist.
‘I had My tent in the heights,
‘My throne in a pillar of cloud.
‘Alone I encircled the vault of the sky,
‘And walked the deep of the abyss,
‘The waves of the sea, the whole earth,
‘To reveal My power to every people and nation.
‘Among all these I searched for rest,
‘An inheritance where I could remain.
‘Then the Creator of all gave Me His command,
‘And He who wrought Me decided the place for My tent,
‘And He said: “In Jacob will be Your abode, make Israel Your inheritance”.
‘Before the ages, from the beginning created by Him.
‘I will remain for eternity.
‘I ministered before Him in His holy Tabernacle.
‘And thus I became established in Zion.
‘He made Me live in His beloved city,
‘In Jerusalem is My dominion.
‘Thus I took root in a privileged people,
‘In the Lord’s property, in the midst of His inheritance.
‘I rose as a cedar on Lebanon,
‘As a cypress on Mount Hermon.
‘I have grown tall as a palm in Engedi,
‘As the rosebushes of Jericho,
‘As a fine olive in the plain,
‘Like a plane tree growing along a stream.
‘Like cinnamom, or balm or precious myrrh
‘I gave forth perfume
‘Like galbanum, and onycha and sweet spices,
‘Like the odour of incense in the holy place.
‘I spread My branches like a terebinth,
‘My branches so glorious and graceful.
‘I am like a vine putting out graceful shoots,
‘Whose blossoms bear fruits of glory and wealth.
‘I am the Mother of pure love,
‘Of fear, of knowledge and of holy hope.
‘In Me is all grace of life and truth,
‘In Me is all hope for life and virtue.
‘Come to Me, you who desire Me,
‘And be filled with My fruits.
‘Thinking of Me is sweeter than honey,
‘Inheriting Me is sweeter than the honeycomb.
‘Whosoever will eat Me will hunger for more.
‘They who drink Me will thirst for more.
‘Whoever listens to Me will never have reason to blush;
‘They who make Me their concern will never sin’.
No first man ever grasped Her entirely.
No last one will fully comprehend Her.
For richer than the sea is Her knowledge,
Richer than the great ocean Her comprehension.
More abundantly than the morning light will I make Wisdom shine forth.
I shall send Her light far and wide;
I shall pour out Her teaching like a prophecy,
A legacy for all future generations.
Observe that I do not toil for myself alone,
But for all those who are seeking Wisdom.
HAIL MARY.
(11) A clear reference to Mary’s Magnificat, and the greeting of Elizabeth.