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Kings Should Seek Wisdom

6Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;
learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
² Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,
and boast of many nations.
³ For your dominion was given you from the Lord,
and your sovereignty from the Most High;
he will search out your works and inquire into your plans.
⁴ Because as servants of his kingdom you did not rule rightly,
or keep the law,
or walk according to the purpose of God,
⁵ he will come upon you terribly and swiftly,
because severe judgement falls on those in high places.
⁶ For the lowliest may be pardoned in mercy,
but the mighty will be mightily tested.
⁷ For the Lord of all will not stand in awe of anyone,
or show deference to greatness;
because he himself made both small and great,
and he takes thought for all alike.
⁸ But a strict inquiry is in store for the mighty.
⁹ To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed,
so that you may learn wisdom and not transgress.
¹⁰ For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness,
and those who have been taught them will find a defence.
¹¹ Therefore set your desire on my words;
long for them, and you will be instructed.

Description of Wisdom

¹² Wisdom is radiant and unfading,
and she is easily discerned by those who love her,
and is found by those who seek her.
¹³ She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
¹⁴ One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,
for she will be found sitting at the gate.
¹⁵ To fix one’s thought on her is perfect understanding,
and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,
¹⁶ because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,
and she graciously appears to them in their paths,
and meets them in every thought.

¹⁷ The beginning of wisdom^* is the most sincere desire for instruction,
and concern for instruction is love of her,
¹⁸ and love of her is the keeping of her laws,
and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,
¹⁹ and immortality brings one near to God;
²⁰ so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.

²¹ Therefore if you delight in thrones and sceptres, O monarchs over the peoples,
honour wisdom, so that you may reign for ever.
²² I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be,
and I will hide no secrets from you,
but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation,
and make knowledge of her clear,
and I will not pass by the truth;
²³ nor will I travel in the company of sickly envy,
for envy^* does not associate with wisdom.
²⁴ The multitude of the wise is the salvation of the world,
and a sensible king is the stability of any people.
²⁵ Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.