1Therefore, ye kings, hear, and understand; and ye judges of the coasts of earth, learn. [Heareth then, ye kings, and understandeth; learneth, ye doomsmen of the coasts of the earth.]

2Ye that hold together multitudes, and please you in the companies of nations, give ears; [Giveth ears, ye that hold together multitudes, and please to you in companies of nations;]

3for why power is given of the Lord to you, and virtue is given of the Highest, that shall ask your works, and shall search thoughts.

4For when ye were ministers of his realm, ye deemed not rightfully [or rightly], neither ye kept the law of rightfulness, neither ye went by the will of God.

5Hideously [or Horribly] and soon he shall appear to you; for why harshest doom shall be made in them, that be sovereigns.

6Forsooth mercy is granted to a little man; but mighty men shall suffer torments mightily.

7For the Lord, which is lord of all things, shall not withdraw the person of any man, neither he shall dread the greatness of any man; for he made both the little man and the great man, and charge [or care] is to him evenly of all men

8But stronger torment nigheth to stronger men.

9Therefore, ye kings, these my words be to you, that ye learn wisdom, and that ye fall not down. [To you then, kings, be these my words, that ye learn wisdom, and that ye fall not.]

10For they that keep rightfulness [or rightwiseness], shall be deemed right-fully; and they, that learn just things, shall find, what they shall answer.

11Therefore covet ye my words, and love ye those; and ye shall have teaching. [Coveteth than my words, and loveth them; and ye shall have discipline.]

12Wisdom is clear, and that shall never fade; and it is seen lightly of them that love it, and it is found of them that seek it.

13It before-occupieth them that covet it, that it show itself the former to them.

14He that waketh by light to it, shall not travail; forsooth he shall find it sitting nigh his gates.

15Therefore to think on wisdom is perfect wit, and he that waketh for it, shall soon be secure.

16For why it goeth about, and seeketh men worthy to it; and in their ways [or in his ways] it shall show itself gladly to them, and in all purveyance it shall meet them.

17For why the beginning of wisdom is the veriest covetousness of learning. Therefore the busyness of learning is love; [The beginning forsooth of it most very coveting of discipline. Then care of discipline is loving;]

18and love is the keeping of laws thereof [or of his laws]. Soothly the keeping of laws is perfection of uncorruption;

19forsooth uncorruption maketh to be next to God.

20Therefore the covetousness of wisdom shall bring to everlasting realm [or kingdom].

21Therefore if ye, kings of the people, delight in seats, and in kings’ rods, or regalties, love ye wisdom, that ye reign without end. All ye, that be sovereigns to peoples, love the light of wisdom.

22Soothly what is wisdom, and how it is made, I shall tell; and I shall not hide from you the sacraments of God; but from the beginning of birth I shall seek, and I shall set into the light the knowing thereof, and I shall not pass [beside the] truth.

23And I shall not have way with envy waxing rotten; for such a man shall not be a partner of wisdom.

24Forsooth the multitude of wise men is the health of the world; and a wise king is the stablishing [or the stability] of the people.

25Therefore take ye teaching [or discipline] by my words, and it shall profit to you.