Wisdom 6

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 Hear, therefore, kings, and understand; learn, you magistrates of the earth's expanse!	1 Listen therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
2 Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude and lord it over throngs of peoples!	2 Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations.
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 For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High, who will search out your works and inquire into your plans.
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 Because as servants of his kingdom you did not rule rightly, nor keep the law, nor walk according to the purpose of God,
5 Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you, because judgment is stern for the exalted-	5 he will come upon you terribly and swiftly, because severe judgment falls on those in high places.
6 For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.	6 For the lowliest man may be pardoned in mercy, but mighty men will be mightily tested.
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 the Lord of all will not stand in awe of any one, nor show deference to greatness; because he himself made both small and great, and he takes thought for all alike.
8 but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.	8 But a strict inquiry is in store for the mighty.
9 To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.	9 To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed, that you may learn wisdom and not transgress.
10 For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy, and those learned in them will have ready a response.	10 For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness, and those who have been taught them will find a defense.
11 Desire therefore my words; long for them and you shall be instructed.	11 Therefore set your desire on my words; long for them, and you will be instructed.
12 Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.	12 Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her.
13 She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men's desire;	13 She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.
14 he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he shall find her sitting by his gate.	14 He who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates.
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 To fix one's thought on her is perfect understanding, and he who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care,
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 because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought.
17 For the first step toward discipline is a very earnest desire for her; then, care for discipline is love of her;	17 The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her,
18 love means the keeping of her laws; To observe her laws is the basis for incorruptibility;	18 and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,
19 and incorruptibility makes one close to God;	19 and immortality brings one near to God;
20 thus the desire for Wisdom leads up to a kingdom.	20 so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.
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 if you delight in thrones and scepters, O monarchs over the peoples, honor wisdom, that you may reign for ever.
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 I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be, and I will hide no secrets from you, but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation, and make knowledge of her clear, and I will not pass by the truth;
23 Neither shall I admit consuming jealousy to my company, because that can have no fellowship with Wisdom.	23 neither will I travel in the company of sickly envy, for envy does not associate with wisdom.
24 A great number of wise men is the safety of the world, and a prudent king, the stability of his people;	24 A multitude of wise men is the salvation of the world, and a sensible king is the stability of his people.
25 so take instruction from my words, to your profit.	25 Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.