The Wisdom of Solomon

⭑ World English Bible Catholic :: King James Version ⭑

- Chapter 6 -

An address to princes to seek after wisdom: she is easily found by those that seek her.

Hear therefore, you kings, and understand. Learn, you judges of the ends of the earth.

Give ear, you rulers who have dominion over many people, and make your boast(a) in multitudes of nations,

because your dominion was given to you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High. He will search out your works, and will inquire about your plans,

because being officers of his kingdom, you didn’t judge rightly, nor did you keep the law, nor did you walk according to God’s counsel.

He will come upon you awfully and swiftly, because a stern judgment comes on those who are in high places.

For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy, but mighty men will be mightily tested.

For the Sovereign Lord of all will not be impressed with anyone, neither will he show deference to greatness; because it is he who made both small and great, and cares about them all;

but the scrutiny that comes upon the powerful is strict.

Therefore, my words are to you, O princes, that you may learn wisdom and not fall away.

For those who have kept the things that are holy in holiness will be made holy. Those who have been taught them will find what to say in defense.

Therefore set your desire on my words. Long for them, and you princes will be instructed.

Wisdom is radiant and doesn’t fade away; and is easily seen by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.

She anticipates those who desire her, making herself known.

He who rises up early to seek her won’t have difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates.

For to think upon her is perfection of understanding, and he who watches for her will quickly be free from care;

because she herself goes around, seeking those who are worthy of her, and in their paths she appears to them graciously, and in every purpose she meets them.

For her true beginning is desire for instruction; and desire for instruction is love.

And love is observance of her laws. To give heed to her laws confirms immortality.

Immortality brings closeness to God.

So then desire for wisdom promotes to a kingdom.

If therefore you delight in thrones and sceptres, you princes of peoples, honor wisdom, that you may reign forever.

But what wisdom is, and how she came into being, I will declare. I won’t hide mysteries from you; but I will explore from her first beginning, bring the knowledge of her into clear light, and I will not pass by the truth.

Indeed, I won’t travel with consuming envy, because envy will have no fellowship with wisdom.

But a multitude of wise men is salvation to the world, and an understanding king is stability for his people.

Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.

Footnotes

(a)6:2 Or, in the multitudes of your nations

An address to princes to seek after wisdom: she is easily found by those that seek her.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

And incorruption maketh us near unto God:

Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.

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

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.

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

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

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