|
|
| [1]Wisdome is beter then strength, and a man of vnderstandyng is more worth then one strong. |
[No book] |
| [2]Heare therfore (O ye kynges) and vnderstande, O learne ye that be iudges of the endes of the earth. |
[No book] |
| [3]Geue eare ye that rule the multitudes, and glorie in the number of peoples. |
[No book] |
| [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: |
[No book] |
| [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. |
[No book] |
| [6]Horribly and that ryght soone shall he appeare vnto you: for an harde iudgement shall they haue that beare rule. |
[No book] |
| [7]Mercie is graunted vnto the lowest: but they that be in aucthoritie shalbe sore punished. |
[No book] |
| [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. |
[No book] |
| [9]But the mightie shall haue the sorer triall. |
[No book] |
| [10]Unto you therfore (O ye kynges) do I speake, that ye may learne wisdome, and not go amisse. |
[No book] |
| [11]For they that kepe holinesse holyly, shalbe iudged holy: and they that haue learned such thinges, shal finde defence. |
[No book] |
| [12]Wherfore set your delyght vpon my wordes and desire them, so shall ye come by nurture. |
[No book] |
| [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. |
[No book] |
| [14]She preuenteth them that desire her, that she may shewe her selfe vnto them. |
[No book] |
| [15]Who so awaketh vnto her betymes, shall haue no great trauayle: for he shal fynde her sittyng redy at his doores. |
[No book] |
| [16]To thynke therfore vpon her, is perfect vnderstandyng: and who so watcheth for her, shall quickly be dispatched of care. |
[No book] |
| [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. |
[No book] |
| [18]For the vnfaigned desire of reformation is her begynnyng: to care for nurture is loue, |
[No book] |
| [19]And loue is the kepyng of her lawes, and the kepyng of her lawes is the assuraunce of immortalitie: |
[No book] |
| [20]And immortalitie maketh a man familier with God. |
[No book] |
| [21]And so the desire of wisdome leadeth to the kyngdome [euerlastyng.] |
[No book] |
| [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. |
[No book] |
| [23]O loue the lyght of wisdome all ye that be rulers of the people. |
[No book] |
| [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, |
[No book] |
| [25]Neither wyll I haue to do with consumyng enuie: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdome. |
[No book] |
| [26]But the multitude of the wise, is the welfare of the worlde: and a wise kyng is the vpholdyng of the people. |
[No book] |
| [27]O reaue nurture then through my wordes, and it shall do you good. |
[No book] |