Глава 6

  • 1. Heare therefore, O yee kings, and vnderstand, learne yee that be iudges of the ends of the earth.
  • 2. Giue eare you that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.
  • 3. For power is giuen you of the Lord, & soueraigntie from the Highest, who shall try your workes; and search out your counsels.
  • 4. Because being Ministers of his kingdome, you haue not iudged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsell of God,
  • 5. Horribly and speedily shall he come vpon you: for a sharpe iudgement shall be to them that be in high places.
  • 6. For mercy will soone pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.
  • 7. For he which is Lord ouer all, shall feare no mans person: neither shall he stand in awe of any mans greatnesse: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike.
  • 8. But a sore triall shall come vpon the mighty.
  • 9. Unto you therefore, O kings, doe I speake, that yee may learne wisedome, and not fall away.
  • 10. For they that keepe holinesse holily, shall be iudged holy: and they that haue learned such things, shall find what to answere.
  • 11. Wherefore set your affection vpon my words, desire them, and yee shall be instructed.
  • 12. Wisedome is glorious and neuer fadeth away: yea she is easily seene of them that loue her, and found of such as seeke her.
  • 13. She preuenteth them that desire her, in making herselfe first knowen vnto them.
  • 14. Whoso seeketh her earely, shall haue no great trauaile: for he shall find her sitting at his doores.
  • 15. To thinke therefore vpon her is perfection of wisedome: and who so watcheth for her, shall quickly be without care.
  • 16. For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth herselfe fauourably vnto them in the wayes, and meeteth them in euery thought.
  • 17. For the very true beginning of her, is the desire of discipline, and the care of discipline is loue:
  • 18. And loue is the keeping of her lawes; and the giuing heed vnto her lawes, is the assurance of incorruption.
  • 19. And incorruption maketh vs neere vnto God.
  • 20. Therefore the desire of wisedome bringeth to a kingdome.
  • 21. If your delight be then in thrones and scepters, O ye kings of the people, honour wisedome that yee may raigne for euermore.
  • 22. As for wisedome what she is, and how she came vp, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seeke her out from the beginning of her natiuity, & bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not passe ouer the trueth.
  • 23. Neither will I goe with consuming enuy: for such a man shall haue no fellowship with wisedome.
  • 24. But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the vpholding of the people.
  • 25. Receiue therefore instruction thorough my words, and it shall doe you good.