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.