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[1]Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. |
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[2]Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. |
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[3]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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[4]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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[5]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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[6]For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented. |
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[7]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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[8]But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty. |
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[9]Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away. |
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[10]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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[11]Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed. |
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[12]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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[13]She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them. |
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[14]Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors. |
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[15]To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care. |
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[16]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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[17]For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love; |
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[18]And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption; |
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[19]And incorruption maketh us near unto God: |
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[20]Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom. |
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[21]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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[22]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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[23]Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom. |
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[24]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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[25]Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good. |