An address to princes to seek after wisdom: she is easily found by those that seek her.
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Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.
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Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.
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For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.
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Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;
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Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places.
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For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.
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For he which is Lord over all shall fear no man’s person, neither shall he stand in awe of any man’s greatness: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike.
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But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.
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Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away.
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For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer.
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Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed.
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Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.
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She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them.
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Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors.
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To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care.
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For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth herself favourably unto them in the ways, and meeteth them in every thought.
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For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;
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And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption;
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And incorruption maketh us near unto God:
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Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.
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If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore.
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As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not pass over the truth.
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Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom.
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But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
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Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good.