Wisdom 6

¹Hear therefore, you kings, and understand. Learn, you judges of the ends of the earth.†⇄ (4 connections)

²Give ear, you rulers who have dominion over many people, and make your boast in multitudes of nations,

³because 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,⇄ (1 connection)

⁴because 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.

⁵He will come upon you awfully and swiftly, because a stern judgment comes on those who are in high places.

⁶For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy, but mighty men will be mightily tested.†⇄ (4 connections)

⁷For 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;† (2 connections)

⁸but the scrutiny that comes upon the powerful is strict.

⁹Therefore, my words are to you, O princes, that you may learn wisdom and not fall away.

¹⁰For 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.† (1 connection)

¹¹Therefore set your desire on my words. Long for them, and you princes will be instructed.

¹²Wisdom is radiant and doesn’t fade away; and is easily seen by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.† (1 connection)

¹³She anticipates those who desire her, making herself known.† (1 connection)

¹⁴He who rises up early to seek her won’t have difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates.† (1 connection)

¹⁵For to think upon her is perfection of understanding, and he who watches for her will quickly be free from care;† (1 connection)

¹⁶because 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.†⇄ (13 connections)

¹⁷For her true beginning is desire for instruction; and desire for instruction is love.† (2 connections)

¹⁸And love is observance of her laws. To give heed to her laws confirms immortality.†⇄ (8 connections)

¹⁹Immortality brings closeness to God.† (1 connection)

²⁰So then desire for wisdom promotes to a kingdom.† (2 connections)

²¹If therefore you delight in thrones and sceptres, you princes of peoples, honor wisdom, that you may reign forever.

²²But 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.

²³Indeed, I won’t travel with consuming envy, because envy will have no fellowship with wisdom.†⇄ (4 connections)

²⁴But a multitude of wise men is salvation to the world, and an understanding king is stability for his people.†⇄ (5 connections)

²⁵Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.