Wisdom of Solomon 6

1 Listen, then, you kings, and understand. Learn, you who judge the ends of the earth. 2 Pay attention, you who rule multitudes and boast in crowds of nations. 3 Your authority was given by the Lord and your sovereignty by the Most High, who will examine your works and investigate your plans. 4 Though you were servants of his kingdom, you did not judge rightly, keep the law, or follow God’s counsel. 5 He will come upon you swiftly and terrifyingly, because severe judgment falls on those in high positions.

6 The lowliest may be pardoned in mercy, but the powerful will undergo a rigorous examination. 7 The Master of all will not shrink from anyone or stand in awe of greatness. He himself made both small and great, and he cares for all alike. 8 But strict scrutiny awaits the powerful. 9 Therefore my words are for you, tyrants, so that you may learn wisdom and not fall away. 10 Those who guard holy things in holiness will be made holy, and those who have been taught them will find a defense. 11 So desire my words, long for them, and you will be instructed.

12 Wisdom is radiant and unfading. She is easily seen by those who love her and found by those who seek her. 13 She anticipates those who desire her by making herself known first. 14 Whoever rises early to seek her will not grow weary, because he will find her sitting at his gates. 15 To think about her is the perfection of discernment, and whoever keeps watch for her will soon be free from care. 16 She herself goes around seeking those worthy of her, appears to them kindly along their paths, and meets them in every thought.

17 The most genuine beginning of wisdom is the desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love. 18 Love is the keeping of her laws, and attention to her laws assures imperishability. 19 Imperishability brings a person near to God. † 20 Therefore desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.

21 So if you delight in thrones and scepters, you tyrants of peoples, honor wisdom so that you may reign forever. 22 I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be. I will not hide secrets from you, but will trace her from the beginning of her origin, bring knowledge of her into the light, and not pass by the truth. 23 Nor will I keep company with consuming envy, because envy has no fellowship with wisdom. 24 A multitude of wise people is the rescue of the world, and a discerning king gives stability to a people. 25 Therefore receive instruction through my words, and it will benefit you.