1<\/sup>Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.<\/span> <\/p>\n 2<\/sup>Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.<\/span> <\/p>\n 3<\/sup>For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.<\/span> <\/p>\n 4<\/sup>Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;<\/span> <\/p>\n 5<\/sup>Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places.<\/span> <\/p>\n 6<\/sup>For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.<\/span> <\/p>\n 7<\/sup>For 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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 8<\/sup>But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.<\/span> <\/p>\n 9<\/sup>Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away.<\/span> <\/p>\n 10<\/sup>For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer.<\/span> <\/p>\n 11<\/sup>Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed.<\/span> <\/p>\n 12<\/sup>Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.<\/span> <\/p>\n 13<\/sup>She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them.<\/span> <\/p>\n 14<\/sup>Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors.<\/span> <\/p>\n 15<\/sup>To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care.<\/span> <\/p>\n 16<\/sup>For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth herself favourably unto them in the ways, and meeteth them in every thought.<\/span> <\/p>\n 17<\/sup>For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;<\/span> <\/p>\n 18<\/sup>And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption;<\/span> <\/p>\n 19<\/sup>And incorruption maketh us near unto God:<\/span> <\/p>\n 20<\/sup>Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.<\/span> <\/p>\n 21<\/sup>If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore.<\/span> <\/p>\n 22<\/sup>As 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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 23<\/sup>Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom.<\/span> <\/p>\n 24<\/sup>But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.<\/span> <\/p>\n 25<\/sup>Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good.<\/span> <\/p>\n