1Listen, therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
2Give ear, you who rule over multitudes and take pride in the throngs of nations.
3For your dominion was given to you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High, who will examine your works and scrutinize your counsels.
4Because, though you are ministers of his kingdom, you did not judge rightly, nor did you keep the law, nor did you walk according to the will of God.
5Terribly and swiftly he will come upon you, because a severe judgment comes upon those in high positions.
6For the lowliest is granted pardon by mercy, but the mighty will be mightily tested.
7For the Master of all will not show deference to anyone, nor will he be in awe of greatness, because he himself made small and great, and he provides for all alike.
8But a strict examination awaits the powerful.
9To you, therefore, O rulers, are my words, so that you may learn wisdom and not transgress.
10For those who have holily kept the holy precepts will be accounted holy, and those who have been taught them will find a defense.
11Therefore, desire my words; long for them, and you will be instructed.
12Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily perceived by those who love her.
13She makes herself known in advance to those who desire her.
14He who rises early for her will not grow weary, for he will find her sitting at his gates.
15For to think of her is the perfection of understanding, and he who keeps watch for her will quickly be free from care.
16Because she herself goes about seeking those who are worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths and meets them in every thought.
17For her truest beginning is the desire for instruction,
18and the care for instruction is love, and love is the keeping of her laws, and attention to her laws is the assurance of incorruptibility,
19and incorruptibility brings one near to God.
20Thus the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.
21If, therefore, you delight in thrones and scepters, O rulers of peoples, honor wisdom, so that you may reign forever.
22What wisdom is and how she came to be, I will declare; I will not hide mysteries from you, but from the beginning of her existence I will trace her out and bring the knowledge of her into the light, and I will not pass by the truth.
23Nor indeed will I journey with wasting envy, because such a thing has no fellowship with wisdom.
24But a multitude of the wise is the salvation of the world, and a prudent king is the stability of his people.
25Therefore, be instructed by my words, and you will profit.
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