O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High and, reaching from beginning to end, you ordered all things mightily and sweetly. Come, and teach us the way of prudence.
This antiphon, like all the others to follow, is based on a composite of Scripture texts.
Sirach 24:3: "From the mouth of the Most High I came forth, and like mist covered the earth".
Wisdom 8:1: "She reaches from end to end mightily and governs all things well".
Wisdom is here personified, present with God at the beginning of creation. This is a prefigurement of Jesus, the eternal Word of God, the "logos" John described in the opening of his gospel. Wisdom is the foundation of fear of the Lord, of holiness, or right living: it is wisdom whom we bid to come and teach us prudence. The cry "Come" will be repeated again and again, insistent and hope-filled.