1. A wise man will seek the wisdom of all the ancients, and he will be occupied in the prophets.
2. He will preserve the words of renowned men, and he will enter with them into the subtleties of parables.
3. He will search for the hidden meanings of proverbs, and he will become familiar with the mysteries of parables.
4. He will minister in the midst of great men, and he will appear in the sight of the foremost leader.
5. He will pass through the land of foreign nations. For he will test good and evil among men.
6. At first light, he will offer his heart with watchfulness to the Lord who made him, and he will pray in the sight of the Most High.
7. He will open his mouth in prayer, and he will make supplication for his offenses.
8. For if the great Lord is willing, he will fill him with the Spirit of understanding.
9. And he will send forth the eloquence of his wisdom like rain showers, and in his prayer, he will confess to the Lord.
10. And he will direct his counsel and his discipline, and he will meditate on his mysteries.
11. He will make the discipline of his doctrine clear, and he will glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
12. Many persons will together praise his wisdom, and it will never be abolished, for all ages.
13. The memory of him will not fade away, and his name will be sought from generation to generation.
14. The peoples will declare his wisdom, and the Church will announce his praise.
15. While he remains, he leaves behind a name greater than a thousand, and when he will rest, it will be to his benefit.
16. I will meditate further, so that I may explain. For I have been filled with a passion.
17. In a voice, he says: Listen to me, divine fruits. You shall bear fruit, like roses planted beside streams of waters.