1Wisdom is better than strength: and a wise man is better than a strong man.
2Hear, therefore, ye kings, and understand, learn ye that are judges of the ends of the earth.
3Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:
4For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works: and search out your thoughts:
5Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God.
6Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.
7For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.
8For 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.
9But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.
10To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.
11For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer.
12Covet ye, therefore, my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction.
13Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her.
14She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them.
15He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door.
16To think, therefore, upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.
17For 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.
18For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.
19And 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:
20And incorruption bringeth near to God.
21Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.
22If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever.
23Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples.
24Now 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:
25Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.
26Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
27Receive, therefore, instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you.