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