The Wisdom of Solomon
Chapter 6
1. Wisdom is superior to strength
and a wise person
is superior to a strong person.
2. Therefore rulers please listen
and understand you judges
and
learn to the ends of the earth.
3. Rulers of people listen
those given honor by many.
4. For power is granted to you
by the Almighty
and the authority of the Most High
will examine your actions
and
understand your thoughts.
5. Because as ministers of His kingdom
you have not judged rightly
nor kept the law of justice
nor
walked with the will of God.
6. Awesome and quick will He appear
for a most precise examination
shall be in store for them who
rule.
7. For to those who are humble
mercy shall be given
but those who are confident
will be greatly challenged.
8. God will not exempt the soul
nor is He awed by human excellence.
For He made the humble and the great
and cares equally for them all.
9. So the greater challenges
will meet the more confident.
10. Therefore you authorities
listen to my words
so that you may learn wisdom
and not reject it and fall.
11. For those who keep righteousness
will become righteous
and those who have learned this
will have the answers.
12. Therefore hold fast to my words
and care for them
and you will receive guidance.
13. Wisdom is glorious
and never fades away.
She is easily seen
by those who love her
and she is easily found
by those who seek her.
14. She protects those who care for her
and shows herself first to them.
15. They who awaken early
to seek her out
will not be burdened
for
they will find her
sitting at their door.
16. So thinking about her
perfects our understanding
and one that watches for her
will fast become secure.
17. For she will be worthy
of those who seek her
and she shows herself with joy
in ways and meet with providence.
18. For her the beginning
is the true meaning of discipline.
19. The focus of discipline is love
and love keeps her ways
and the keeping of her ways
is the foundation of righteousness.
20. For righteousness brings
us closer to God.
21. Thus wisdom delivers
the eternal sanctuary.
22. If you desire thrones and crowns
you rulers of people
then love wisdom
so you may reign for ever.
23. Love the light of wisdom
those with authority over others.
24. Know what wisdom is
and what caused her
and I declare this reveals
the mysteries of God.
So seek her out
from her beginnings
and deliver her knowledge
and gain the truth.
25. We should not consume envy
for such a person cannot
take part with wisdom.
26. Yet the multitude of the wise
is the welfare of the world
and the wise rulers
support their people.
27. Therefore receive the instruction
offered by these words
to offer you the benefits.
