The Book of Wisdom or The Wisdom of Solomon 6

1Hear therefore, you⌃ kings, and understand; 2Give ear, you⌃ that have dominion over much people, in multitudes of nations. Or, in the multitudes of your nations 3Because your dominion was given you from the Lord, 4Because being officers of his kingdom you⌃ did not judge aright, law, nor walked after the counsel of God. Or, the law 5Awfully and swiftly will he come upon you; 6For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy, searched out mightily. Gr. put to the test. 7For the Sovereign Lord of all will not refrain himself for any man’s person, both small and great, 8But strict is the scrutiny that comes upon the powerful. Gr. strong. 9To you therefore, O princes, are my words, fall not from the right way. Gr. fall not aside. 10For those who have kept holily the things that are holy will themselves be hallowed; Or, accounted holy 11Set your desire therefore on my words; them, and you⌃ will be trained by Gr. disciplined. their discipline. 12Wisdom is radiant and fades not away; 13She forestalleth those who desire to know her, making herself first known. 14He that rises up early to seek her will have no toil, 15For to think upon her is perfectness of understanding, 16Because she goes about, herself seeking those who are worthy of her, 17For her Or, her beginning is the true desire true beginning is desire of discipline; Gr. truest. of her; 18And love of her is observance of her laws; her laws confirmeth incorruption; 19And incorruption brings near to God; Gr. makes to be near. 20So then desire of wisdom promoteth to a kingdom. 21If therefore you⌃ delight in thrones and sceptres, you⌃ princes of peoples, 22But what wisdom is, and how she came into being, I will declare, her out from the beginning of creation, Or, from her first beginning 23Neither indeed will I take pining envy for my companion in the way, Gr. wasted. envy will have no fellowship with wisdom. Gr. this 24But a multitude of wise men is salvation to the world, his people. 25Wherefore be disciplined by my words, and thereby will you⌃ profit.