The Wisdom of Solomon

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 6 -

An address to princes to seek after wisdom: she is easily found by those that seek her.

Wisdom is better than strength, and a wise man is better than a strong man.

Hear therefore, ye kings, and understand: learn, ye that are judges of the ends of the earth.

Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:

For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works, and search out your thoughts:

Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God.

Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.

For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.

For 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.

But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.

To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.

For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer.

Covet ye therefore my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction.

Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her.

She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them.

He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door.

To think therefore upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.

For 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.

For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.

And 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:

And incorruption bringeth near to God.

Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.

If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever.

Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples.

Now 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:

Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.

Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.

Receive therefore instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you.

An address to princes to seek after wisdom: she is easily found by those that seek her.

Hear therefore, you kings, and understand. Learn, you judges of the ends of the earth.

Give ear, you rulers who have dominion over many people, and make your boast(a) in multitudes of nations,

because your dominion was given to you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High. He will search out your works, and will inquire about your plans,

because being officers of his kingdom, you didn’t judge rightly, nor did you keep the law, nor did you walk according to God’s counsel.

He will come upon you awfully and swiftly, because a stern judgment comes on those who are in high places.

For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy, but mighty men will be mightily tested.

For the Sovereign Lord of all will not be impressed with anyone, neither will he show deference to greatness; because it is he who made both small and great, and cares about them all;

but the scrutiny that comes upon the powerful is strict.

Therefore, my words are to you, O princes, that you may learn wisdom and not fall away.

For those who have kept the things that are holy in holiness will be made holy. Those who have been taught them will find what to say in defense.

Therefore set your desire on my words. Long for them, and you princes will be instructed.

Wisdom is radiant and doesn’t fade away; and is easily seen by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.

She anticipates those who desire her, making herself known.

He who rises up early to seek her won’t have difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates.

For to think upon her is perfection of understanding, and he who watches for her will quickly be free from care;

because she herself goes around, seeking those who are worthy of her, and in their paths she appears to them graciously, and in every purpose she meets them.

For her true beginning is desire for instruction; and desire for instruction is love.

And love is observance of her laws. To give heed to her laws confirms immortality.

Immortality brings closeness to God.

So then desire for wisdom promotes to a kingdom.

If therefore you delight in thrones and sceptres, you princes of peoples, honor wisdom, that you may reign forever.

But what wisdom is, and how she came into being, I will declare. I won’t hide mysteries from you; but I will explore from her first beginning, bring the knowledge of her into clear light, and I will not pass by the truth.

Indeed, I won’t travel with consuming envy, because envy will have no fellowship with wisdom.

But a multitude of wise men is salvation to the world, and an understanding king is stability for his people.

Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.

Footnotes

(a)6:2 Or, in the multitudes of your nations