Is not Wisdom calling?

Is not Understanding raising her voice?

On the heights overlooking the road,

at the crossways, she takes her stand;

by the gates, at the entrance to the city,

on the access-roads, she cries out,

I am calling to you, all people,

my words are addressed to all humanity,

Simpletons, learn how to behave,

fools, come to your senses.

Listen, I have something important to tell you,

when I speak, my words are right.

My mouth proclaims the truth,

for evil is abhorrent to my lips.

All the words from my mouth are upright,

nothing false there, nothing crooked,

everything plain, if you can understand,

straight, if you have acquired knowledge.

Accept my discipline rather than silver,

and knowledge of me in preference to finest gold.

For Wisdom is more precious than jewels,

and nothing else is so worthy of desire.

Guardian of my Deepest Self,

I need to be still, to listen,

not only to falling leaves

and the gentle wind;

I need to listen to my soul,

too long neglected

while I bowed to the wild cries

of my greedy culture,

ever ravenous

for my undivided attention:

Do more, Buy more,

See more, Be more, Go more.

I am weary

with feeding this huge mouth

that devours my soul.

Let me be still

amid the beauty of earth.

Let me be a silent admirer

of all that is sacred.

Let me be reverent

in the presence of another.

Let me restore my inner eye.

Let me put to rest the wildness

of endless activity.

Let me end my seeking

the glitter of streets

that go nowhere.

Prayers to Sophia, Joyce Rupp