Wisdom 6

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Wisdom is better than strength, and a wise man is better than a strong man.	1 Wisdom is better than power, and a prudent man is better than a powerful one.
2 Hear therefore, ye kings, and understand: learn, ye that are judges of the ends of the earth.	2 Therefore, hear, O kings, and understand; learn, you judges of the ends of the earth.
3 Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:	3 Listen closely, you who hold the attention of the crowds, and who please yourselves by disturbing the nations.
4 For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works, and search out your thoughts:	4 For power has been given to you from the Lord and strength from the Most High, who will examine your works and scrutinize your thoughts.
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.	5 For, when you were ministers of his kingdom, you did not judge correctly, nor keep the law of justice, nor walk according to the will of God.
6 Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.	6 Horribly and quickly he will appear to you, because he will make a severe judgment for those who are in charge.
7 For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.	7 For, to the little, great mercy is granted, but the powerful will endure powerful torment.
8 For 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.	8 For the Lord will not exempt anyone’s character, nor will he stand in awe of anyone’s greatness, because he himself made the little and the great, and he is equally concerned for everyone.
9 But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.	9 But a powerful torture pursues the powerful.
10 To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.	10 Therefore, O kings, these, my words, are for you, so that you may learn wisdom and not perish.
11 For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer.	11 For those who have justly preserved justice will be justified, and those who have learned these things will find what to answer.
12 Covet ye therefore my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction.	12 Therefore, desire my words, love them, and you will have instruction.
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.	13 Wisdom is pure and never fades away, and is easily seen by those who love her and found by those who seek her.
14 She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them.	14 She anticipates those who desire her, so that she first reveals herself to them.
15 He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door.	15 Whoever awakens early to seek her, will not labor, for he will find her sitting at his door.
16 To think therefore upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.	16 Therefore, by thinking about her, understanding is perfected, and whoever remains watchful for her, will quickly be secure.
17 For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she sheweth herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meeteth them with all providence.	17 For she goes about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she reveals herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meets them with all foresight.
18 For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.	18 For the very true beginning of her is the desire for instruction.
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:	19 Therefore, the zeal for instruction is love, and love is the keeping of her laws, and the keeping of her laws is the perfection of incorruptibility,
20 And incorruption bringeth near to God.	20 while incorruptibility makes us near to God.
21 Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.	21 And so, the desire for wisdom leads to an everlasting kingdom.
22 If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever.	22 If, therefore, your delight is in thrones and scepters, O kings of the people, love wisdom, so 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 you who lead the peoples.
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:	24 But what wisdom is, and how she was made, I will report, and I will not hide the mysteries of God from you, but I will investigate her from the beginning of her birth, and I will place the knowledge of her in the light, and will not pass over the truth.
25 Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.	25 Neither will I hold to the path that dwindles away with envy, because such a man will not partake in wisdom.
26 Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.	26 For the proliferation of the wise is sanity for the world, and a wise king is the mainstay of the people.
27 Receive therefore instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you.	27 Therefore, receive instruction by my words, and it will benefit you.