1Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.

2Give ear, you that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.

3For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

4Because, being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;

5horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places.

6For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.

7For 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.

8But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.

9Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away.

10For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer.

11Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed.

12Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.

13She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them.

14Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors.

15To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care.

16For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth herself favourably unto them in the ways, and meeteth them in every thought.

17For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;

18and love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption;

19and incorruption maketh us near unto God:

20therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.

21If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore.

22As 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.

23Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom.

24But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.

25Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good.