Wisdom 6

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Hear, therefore, kings, and understand; learn, you magistrates of the earth's expanse!	1 Wisdom is better than strength, and a wise man is better than a strong man.
2 Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude and lord it over throngs of peoples!	2 Hear therefore, ye kings, and understand: learn, ye that are judges of the ends of the earth.
3 Because authority was given you by the LORD and sovereignty by the Most High, who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels!	3 Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:
4 Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly, and did not keep the law, nor walk according to the will of God,	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:
5 Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you, because judgment is stern for the exalted-	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 For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.	6 Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.
7 For the Lord of all shows no partiality, nor does he fear greatness, Because he himself made the great as well as the small, and he provides for all alike;	7 For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.
8 but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.	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.
9 To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.	9 But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.
10 For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy, and those learned in them will have ready a response.	10 To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.
11 Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed.	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 Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.	12 Covet ye therefore my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction.
13 She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men's desire;	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 he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate.	14 She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them.
15 For taking thought of her is the perfection of prudence, and he who for her sake keeps vigil shall quickly be free from care;	15 He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door.
16 Because she makes her own rounds, seeking those worthy of her, and graciously appears to them in the ways, and meets them with all solicitude.	16 To think therefore upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.
17 For the first step toward discipline is a very earnest desire for her; then, care for discipline is love of her;	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.
18 love means the keeping of her laws; To observe her laws is the basis for incorruptibility;	18 For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.
19 and incorruptibility makes one close to God;	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 thus the desire for Wisdom leads up to a kingdom.	20 And incorruption bringeth near to God.
21 If, then, you find pleasure in throne and scepter, you princes of the peoples, honor Wisdom, that you may reign as kings forever.	21 Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.
22 Now what wisdom is, and how she came to be I shall relate; and I shall hide no secrets from you, But from the very beginning I shall search out and bring to light knowledge of her, nor shall I diverge from the truth.	22 If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever.
23 Neither shall I admit consuming jealousy to my company, because that can have no fellowship with Wisdom.	23 Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples.
24 A great number of wise men is the safety of the world, and a prudent king, the stability of his people;	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 so take instruction from my words, to your profit.	25 Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of 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.
	27 Receive therefore instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you.