Wisdom 6

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Hear, therefore, kings, and understand; learn, you magistrates of the earth's expanse!	1 Wisdom is better than power, and a prudent man is better than a powerful one.
2 Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude and lord it over throngs of peoples!	2 Therefore, hear, O kings, and understand; learn, you 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 Listen closely, you who hold the attention of the crowds, and who please yourselves by disturbing the 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 has been given to you from the Lord and strength from the Most High, who will examine your works and scrutinize your thoughts.
5 Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you, because judgment is stern for the exalted-	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 For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.	6 Horribly and quickly he will appear to you, because he will make a severe judgment for those who are in charge.
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 the little, great mercy is granted, but the powerful will endure powerful torment.
8 but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.	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 To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.	9 But a powerful torture pursues the powerful.
10 For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy, and those learned in them will have ready a response.	10 Therefore, O kings, these, my words, are for you, so that you may learn wisdom and not perish.
11 Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed.	11 For those who have justly preserved justice will be justified, and those who have learned these things will 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 Therefore, desire my words, love them, and you will have instruction.
13 She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men's desire;	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 he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate.	14 She anticipates those who desire her, so that she first reveals herself to 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 Whoever awakens early to seek her, will not labor, for he will 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 Therefore, by thinking about her, understanding is perfected, and whoever remains watchful for her, will 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 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 love means the keeping of her laws; To observe her laws is the basis for incorruptibility;	18 For the very true beginning of her is the desire for instruction.
19 and incorruptibility makes one close to God;	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 thus the desire for Wisdom leads up to a kingdom.	20 while incorruptibility makes us 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 And so, the desire for wisdom leads to an 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, therefore, your delight is in thrones and scepters, O kings of the people, love wisdom, so that you may reign forever;
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 you who lead the peoples.
24 A great number of wise men is the safety of the world, and a prudent king, the stability of his people;	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 so take instruction from my words, to your profit.	25 Neither will I hold to the path that dwindles away with envy, because such a man will not partake in wisdom.
	26 For the proliferation of the wise is sanity for the world, and a wise king is the mainstay of the people.
	27 Therefore, receive instruction by my words, and it will benefit you.