Add parallel Print Page Options

17 all good giving and every perfect gift[a] is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1:17 All good giving and every perfect gift may be a proverb written in hexameter. Father of lights: God is here called the Father of the heavenly luminaries, i.e., the stars, sun, and moon that he created (Gn 1:14–18). Unlike orbs moving from nadir to zenith, he never changes or diminishes in brightness.

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,(A) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,(B) who does not change(C) like shifting shadows.

Read full chapter

22     for Wisdom, the artisan of all, taught me.(A)

Nature and Incomparable Dignity of Wisdom

[a] For in her is a spirit
    intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
    clear, unstained, certain,
Never harmful, loving the good, keen,(B)
23     unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
    all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
    though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 7:22b–23 The twenty-one (7 × 3) attributes of the spirit in Wisdom reflect the influence of contemporary philosophy, especially the Stoa, but the personification rests also on Prv 8:22–31 and Sir 24.
'Wisdom 7:22-23' not found for the version: New International Version.