Wisdom 6

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Listen then, kings, and understand; rulers of remotest lands, take warning;	1 Listen then, kings, and understand; rulers of remotest lands, take warning;
2 hear this, you who govern great populations, taking pride in your hosts of subject nations!	2 hear this, you who govern great populations, taking pride in your hosts of subject nations!
3 For sovereignty is given to you by the Lord and power by the Most High, who will himself probe youracts and scrutinise your intentions.	3 For sovereignty is given to you by the Lord and power by the Most High, who will himself probe youracts and scrutinise your intentions.
4 If therefore, as servants of his kingdom, you have not ruled justly nor observed the law, nor fol owed thewil of God,	4 If therefore, as servants of his kingdom, you have not ruled justly nor observed the law, nor fol owed thewil of God,
5 he wil fal on you swiftly and terribly. On the highly placed a ruthless judgement falls;	5 he wil fal on you swiftly and terribly. On the highly placed a ruthless judgement falls;
6 the lowly are pardoned, out of pity, but the mighty wil be mightily tormented.	6 the lowly are pardoned, out of pity, but the mighty wil be mightily tormented.
7 For the Lord of al does not cower before anyone, he does not stand in awe of greatness, since hehimself has made small and great and provides for al alike;	7 For the Lord of al does not cower before anyone, he does not stand in awe of greatness, since hehimself has made small and great and provides for al alike;
8 but a searching trial awaits those who wield power.	8 but a searching trial awaits those who wield power.
9 So, monarchs, my words are meant for you, so that you may learn wisdom and not fal into error;	9 So, monarchs, my words are meant for you, so that you may learn wisdom and not fal into error;
10 for those who in holiness observe holy things will be adjudged holy, and, accepting instruction fromthem, wil find their defence in them.	10 for those who in holiness observe holy things will be adjudged holy, and, accepting instruction fromthem, wil find their defence in them.
11 Set your heart, therefore, on what I have to say, listen with a wil , and you wil be instructed.	11 Set your heart, therefore, on what I have to say, listen with a wil , and you wil be instructed.
12 Wisdom is bril iant, she never fades. By those who love her, she is readily seen, by those who seekher, she is readily found.	12 Wisdom is bril iant, she never fades. By those who love her, she is readily seen, by those who seekher, she is readily found.
13 She anticipates those who desire her by making herself known first.	13 She anticipates those who desire her by making herself known first.
14 Whoever gets up early to seek her will have no trouble but wil find her sitting at the door.	14 Whoever gets up early to seek her will have no trouble but wil find her sitting at the door.
15 Meditating on her is understanding in its perfect form, and anyone keeping awake for her will soon befree from care.	15 Meditating on her is understanding in its perfect form, and anyone keeping awake for her will soon befree from care.
16 For she herself searches everywhere for those who are worthy of her, benevolently appearing to them on their ways, anticipating their every thought.	16 For she herself searches everywhere for those who are worthy of her, benevolently appearing to them on their ways, anticipating their every thought.
17 For Wisdom begins with the sincere desire for instruction, care for instruction means loving her,	17 For Wisdom begins with the sincere desire for instruction, care for instruction means loving her,
18 loving her means keeping her laws, attention to her laws guarantees incorruptibility,	18 loving her means keeping her laws, attention to her laws guarantees incorruptibility,
19 and incorruptibility brings us near to God;	19 and incorruptibility brings us near to God;
20 the desire for Wisdom thus leads to sovereignty.	20 the desire for Wisdom thus leads to sovereignty.
21 If then thrones and sceptres delight you, monarchs of the nations, honour Wisdom, so that you mayreign for ever.	21 If then thrones and sceptres delight you, monarchs of the nations, honour Wisdom, so that you mayreign for ever.
22 What Wisdom is and how she was born, I shal now explain; I shal hide no mysteries from you, butshall fol ow her steps from the outset of her origin, setting out what we know of her in ful light, without departingfrom the truth.	22 What Wisdom is and how she was born, I shal now explain; I shal hide no mysteries from you, butshall fol ow her steps from the outset of her origin, setting out what we know of her in ful light, without departingfrom the truth.
23 Blighting envy is no companion for me, for envy has nothing in common with Wisdom.	23 Blighting envy is no companion for me, for envy has nothing in common with Wisdom.
24 In the greatest number of the wise lies the world's salvation, in a sagacious king the stability of apeople.	24 In the greatest number of the wise lies the world's salvation, in a sagacious king the stability of apeople.
25 Learn, therefore, from my words; the gain will be yours.	25 Learn, therefore, from my words; the gain will be yours.