1. Hear, therefore, kings, and understand;learn, you magistrates of the earth’s expanse!
2. Give ear, you who have power over multitudesand lord it over throngs of peoples!
3. Because authority was given you by the Lordand sovereignty by the Most High,who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels!
4. Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you did not judge rightly,and did not keep the law,nor walk according to the will of God,
5. Terribly and swiftly he shall come against you,because severe judgment awaits the exalted—
6. For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercybut the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.
7. For the Ruler of all shows no partiality,nor does he fear greatness,Because he himself made the great as well as the small,and provides for all alike;
8. but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.
9. To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressedthat you may learn wisdom and that you may not fall away.
10. For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed will be found holy,and those learned in them will have ready a response.
11. Desire therefore my words;long for them and you will be instructed.
12. Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom,and she is readily perceived by those who love her,and found by those who seek her.
13. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her;