The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Solomon 06
1 Hear therefore, you kings, and understand.
Learn, you judges of the ends of the earth.
2 Give ear, you rulers who have dominion
over many people, and make your boast†
in multitudes of nations,
3 because 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,
4 because 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.
5 He will come upon you awfully and
swiftly, because a stern judgment comes on
those who are in high places.
6 For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy,
but mighty men will be mightil tested.
7 For 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;
8 but the scrutiny that comes up on
the powerful is strict.
9 Therefore, my words are to you, O
princes,nthat you may learn wisdom and not
fall away.
10 For those who have kept the things that
are holy in holiness will be made
holy. Those who have been taughtthem will
find what to say in defense.
11 Therefore set your desire on my words.
Long for them, and you princes will be
instructed.
12 Wisdom is radiant and doesn’t fade
away; and is easily seen by those who love
her, and found by those who seek her.
13 She anticipates those who desire her,
making herself known.
14 He who rises up early to seek her won’t
have difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates.
15 For to think up on her is perfection of
understanding, and he who watches for her will
quickly be free from care;
16 because 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.
17 For her true beginning is desire for instruction;
and desire for instruction is love.
18 And love is observance of her laws.
To give heed to her laws confirms immortality.
19 Immortality brings closeness to God.
20 So then desire for wisdom promotes
to a kingdom.
21 If therefore you delight in thrones and
sceptres, you princes of peoples,
honor wisdom,that you may reignforever.
22 But 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.
23 Indeed, I won’t travel with consuming
envy, because envy will have no fellowship
with wisdom.
24 But a multitude of wise men is salvation
to the world, and an understanding king is stability
for his people.
25 Therefore be instructed by my words,
and you will profit.