1 Wisdom is better than strength: and a wise man than a strong.
1 Wisdom ¹is better than strength: and a wise man is better than a strong man.
2 Hear therefore ye kings, & understand, learn ye judges of the ends of the earth.
2 Hear, therefore, ye kings, and understand, learn ye that are judges of the ends of the earth.
3 Give ear ye that rule multitudes, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:
3 Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:
4 because the power is given you of our Lord, and strength by the Highest, who will examine your works, and search your cogitations:
4 ²For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works: and search out your thoughts:
5 because when you were the ministers of his Kingdom, you judged not rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor have walked according to the will of God.
5 Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God.
6 Horribly and quickly will he appear to you: because most severe judgement shall be done on them, that bear rule.
6 Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.
7 For to the little one mercy is granted: but the mighty shall mightily suffer torments.
7 For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.
8 For God will not except any man's person, neither will fear the greatness of any man: because he made the little and the great, & he hath equally care of all.
8 ³For God will not except any man’s person, neither will he stand in awe of any man’s greatness: for he made the little and the great, and he hath equally care of all.
9 But to the stronger more strong torment is imminent.
9 But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.
10 To you therefore o kings are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall.
10 To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.
11 For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what they may answer.
11 For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer.
12 Covet ye therefore my words, and love them, and you shall have discipline.
12 Covet ye, therefore, my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction.
13 Wisdom is clear, and such as never fadeth, and is easily seen of them that love her, and is found of them that seek her.
13 Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her.
14 She preventeth them that covet her, that she first may shew herself unto them.
14 She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first showeth herself unto them.
15 He that awaketh early to her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at her doors.
15 He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labor: for he shall find her sitting at his door.
16 To think therefore of her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.
16 To think, therefore, upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.
17 Because she goeth about seeking them that be worthy of her, and in the ways she will shew herself to them cheerfully, and in all providence she will meet them.
17 For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she showeth herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meeteth them with all providence.
18 For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.
18 For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.
19 The care therefore of discipline, is love: and love is keeping of her laws: and the keeping of the laws, is the consummation of incorruption:
19 And the care of discipline is love: and love is the keeping of her laws: and the keeping of her laws is the firm foundation of incorruption:
20 and incorruption maketh to be next to God.
20 And incorruption bringeth near to God.
21 Therefore the desire of wisdom leadeth to the everlasting Kingdom.
21 Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.
22 If therefore you be delighted with thrones, and with sceptres, o ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever.
22 If then your delight be in thrones, and scepters, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign forever.
23 Love the light of wisdom all ye that bear rule over peoples.
23 Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples.
24 But what wisdom is, and how she was made, I will declare: and I will not hide from you the mysteries of God, but from the beginning of her nativity I will search out, and set the knowledge of her into light, and will not let pass the truth:
24 Now what wisdom is, and what was her origin, I will declare: and I will not hide from you the mysteries of God, but will seek her out from the beginning of her birth, and bring the knowledge of her to light, and will not pass over the truth:
25 neither will I go with pining envy: because such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.
25 Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.
26 But the multitude of the wise is the health of the round world: and a wise king is the stability of the people.
26 Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
27 Therefore take ye discipline by my words, and it shall profit you.
27 Receive, therefore, instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you.