Wisdom Of Solomon 6
1 Hear therefore, O ye kings, and
understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.
2 Give ear, ye that rule the people,
and glory in the multitude of nations.
3 For power is given you of the Lord,
and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out
your counsels. 4 Because, being
ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor
walked after the counsel of God;
5 horribly and speedily shall he come
upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places.
6 For mercy will soon pardon the
meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.
7 For 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 hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike.
8 But a sore trial shall come upon the
mighty.
9 Unto you therefore, O kings, do I
speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away.
10 For they that keep holiness holily
shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what
to answer. 11 Wherefore set your
affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed.
12 Wisdom is glorious, and never
fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such
as seek her.
13 She preventeth them that desire
her, in making herself first known unto them.
14 Whoso seeketh her early shall have
no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors.
15 To think therefore upon her is the
perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without
care. 16 For she goeth about seeking
such as are worthy of her, sheweth herself favourably unto them in the ways,
and meeteth them in every thought.
17 For the very true beginning of her
is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;
18 and love is the keeping of her
laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption;
19 and incorruption maketh us near
unto God: 20 therefore the desire of
wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.
21 If your delight be then in thrones
and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for
evermore. 22 As 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.
23 Neither will I go with consuming
envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom.
24 But the multitude of the wise is
the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
25 Receive therefore instruction
through my words, and it shall do you good.