[1] Hear therefore, you⌃ kings, and understand; Learn, you⌃ judges of the ends of the earth:
[2] Give ear, you⌃ that have dominion over much people, And make your boast in multitudes of nations.
[3] Because your dominion was given you from the Lord, And your sovereignty from the Most High; Who shall search out your works, And shall make inquisition of your counsels:
[4] Because being officers of his kingdom you⌃ did not judge aright, Neither kept you⌃ law, nor walked after the counsel of God.
[5] Awfully and swiftly shall he come upon you; Because a stern judgement befalleth them that be in high place:
[6] For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy, But mighty men shall be searched out mightily.
[7] For the Sovereign Lord of all will not refrain himself for anyman's person, Neither will he reverence greatness; Because it is he that madeboth small and great, And alike he takes thought for all;
[8] But strict is the scrutiny that comes upon the powerful.
[9] To you therefore, O princes, are my words, That you⌃ may learn wisdom and fall not from the right way.
[10] For they that have kept holily the things that are holy shallthemselves be hallowed; And they that have been taught them shall find what to answer;
[11] Set your desire therefore on my words; Long forthem, and you⌃ shall be trained bytheir discipline.
[12] Wisdom is radiant and fadeth not away; And easily is she beheld of them that love her, And found of them that seek her.
[13] She forestalleth them that desireto know her, making herself first known.
[14] He that riseth up early toseek her shall have no toil, For he shall find her sitting at his gates.
[15] For to think upon her is perfectness of understanding, And he that watcheth for her sake shall quickly be free from care.
[16] Because she goes about, herself seeking them that are worthy of her, And in their paths she appears to them graciously, And in every purpose she meeteth them.
[17] For her true beginning is desire of discipline; And the care for discipline is loveof her;
[18] And loveof her is observance of her laws; And to give heed toher laws confirmeth incorruption;
[19] And incorruption brings near to God;
[20] So then desire of wisdom promoteth to a kingdom.
[21] If therefore you⌃ delight in thrones and sceptres, you⌃ princes of peoples, Honor wisdom, that you⌃ may reign for ever.
[22] But what wisdom is, and how she came into being, I will declare, And I will not hide mysteries from you; But I will traceher out from the beginning of creation, And bring the knowledge of her into clear light, And I will not pass by the truth;
[23] Neither indeed will I take pining envy for my companion in the way, Because envy shall have no fellowship with wisdom.
[24] But a multitude of wise men is salvation to the world, And an understanding king is tranquillity tohis people.
[25] Wherefore be disciplined by my words, andthereby shall you⌃ profit.