Wisdom

¹Hear therefore, you kings, and understand. Learn, you judges of the ends of the earth. ²Give ear, you rulers who have dominion over many people, and make your boast in multitudes of nations, ³because your dominion was given to you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High. He will search out your works, and will inquire about your plans, ⁴because being officers of his kingdom, you didn’t judge rightly, nor did you keep the law, nor did you walk according to God’s counsel. ⁵He will come upon you awfully and swiftly, because a stern judgment comes on those who are in high places. ⁶For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy, but mighty men will be mightily tested. ⁷For the Sovereign Lord of all will not be impressed with anyone, neither will he show deference to greatness; because it is he who made both small and great, and cares about them all; ⁸but the scrutiny that comes upon the powerful is strict. ⁹Therefore, my words are to you, O princes, that you may learn wisdom and not fall away. ¹⁰For those who have kept the things that are holy in holiness will be made holy. Those who have been taught them will find what to say in defense. ¹¹Therefore set your desire on my words. Long for them, and you princes will be instructed.

¹²Wisdom is radiant and doesn’t fade away; and is easily seen by those who love her, and found by those who seek her. ¹³She anticipates those who desire her, making herself known. ¹⁴He who rises up early to seek her won’t have difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates. ¹⁵For to think upon her is perfection of understanding, and he who watches for her will quickly be free from care; ¹⁶because she herself goes around, seeking those who are worthy of her, and in their paths she appears to them graciously, and in every purpose she meets them. ¹⁷For her true beginning is desire for instruction; and desire for instruction is love. ¹⁸And love is observance of her laws. To give heed to her laws confirms immortality. ¹⁹Immortality brings closeness to God. ²⁰So then desire for wisdom promotes to a kingdom. ²¹If therefore you delight in thrones and sceptres, you princes of peoples, honor wisdom, that you may reign forever. ²²But what wisdom is, and how she came into being, I will declare. I won’t hide mysteries from you; but I will explore from her first beginning, bring the knowledge of her into clear light, and I will not pass by the truth. ²³Indeed, I won’t travel with consuming envy, because envy will have no fellowship with wisdom. ²⁴But a multitude of wise men is salvation to the world, and an understanding king is stability for his people. ²⁵Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.