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[1]Wisdome is beter then strength, and a man of vnderstandyng is more worth then one strong.
[2]Heare therfore (O ye kynges) and vnderstande, O learne ye that be iudges of the endes of the earth.
[3]Geue eare ye that rule the multitudes, and glorie in the number of peoples.
[4]For the power is geuen you of the Lorde, and the strength from the hyest, which shall trye your workes, & searche out your imaginations:
[5]Howe that ye beyng officers of his kyngdome, haue not geuen true iudgement, haue not kept the lawe of ryghteousnesse, nor walked after the wyll of God.
[6]Horribly and that ryght soone shall he appeare vnto you: for an harde iudgement shall they haue that beare rule.
[7]Mercie is graunted vnto the lowest: but they that be in aucthoritie shalbe sore punished.
[8]For he which is Lorde ouer all shall except no mans person, neither shall he stande in awe of any mans greatnesse: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all a lyke.
[9]But the mightie shall haue the sorer triall.
[10]Unto you therfore (O ye kynges) do I speake, that ye may learne wisdome, and not go amisse.
[11]For they that kepe holinesse holyly, shalbe iudged holy: and they that haue learned such thinges, shal finde defence.
[12]Wherfore set your delyght vpon my wordes and desire them, so shall ye come by nurture.
[13]Wisdome is a noble thyng, and neuer fadeth away: yea she is easyly seene of them that loue her, and founde of such as seke her.
[14]She preuenteth them that desire her, that she may shewe her selfe vnto them.
[15]Who so awaketh vnto her betymes, shall haue no great trauayle: for he shal fynde her sittyng redy at his doores.
[16]To thynke therfore vpon her, is perfect vnderstandyng: and who so watcheth for her, shall quickly be dispatched of care.
[17]For she goeth about sekyng such as are meete for her, sheweth her selfe chearefully vnto the in their goynges, and meeteth them with all diligence.
[18]For the vnfaigned desire of reformation is her begynnyng: to care for nurture is loue,
[19]And loue is the kepyng of her lawes, and the kepyng of her lawes is the assuraunce of immortalitie:
[20]And immortalitie maketh a man familier with God.
[21]And so the desire of wisdome leadeth to the kyngdome [euerlastyng.]
[22]If your delyght be then in royall seates and scepters (O ye kynges of the people) set your lust vpon wisdome, that ye may raigne for euermore.
[23]O loue the lyght of wisdome all ye that be rulers of the people.
[24]As for wisdome, what she is & howe she came vp, I wyll tell you, and wyll not hyde the mysteries of [God] from you: but wyll seke her out from the begynnyng of her natiuitie, and bryng the knowledge of her into lyght, and wyll not kepe backe the trueth,
[25]Neither wyll I haue to do with consumyng enuie: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdome.
[26]But the multitude of the wise, is the welfare of the worlde: and a wise kyng is the vpholdyng of the people.
[27]O reaue nurture then through my wordes, and it shall do you good.
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