1Hear therefore, O you° kings, and understand; learn, you° that be judges of the ends of the earth.
2Give ear, you° that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.
3For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.
4Because, being ministers of his kingdom, you° have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;
5Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places.
6For mercy will soon pardon the lowly, but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.
7For he which is Lord over all shall fear no man's person, neither shall he stand in awe of any man's greatness: for he has made the small and great, and careth for all alike.
8But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.
9To you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that you° may learn wisdom, and not fall away.
10For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer.
11Therefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and you° shall be instructed.
12Wisdom is glorious, and never fades away: yes, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.
13She prevents them that desire her, in making herself first known to them.
14Whoso seeks her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors.
15To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watches for her shall quickly be without care.
16For she goes about seeking such as are worthy of her, shows herself favourably to them in the ways, and meets them in every thought.
17For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;
18And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed to her laws is the assurance of incorruption;
19And incorruption makes us near to God:
20Therefore the desire of wisdom brings to a kingdom.
21If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O you° kings of the people, honor wisdom, that you° may reign for evermore.
22As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not pass over the truth.
23Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom.
24But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
25Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good.
