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 mightily 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 upon the powerful is strict. 9 Therefore, my words are to you, O princes, that 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 taught them 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 upon 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 reign forever. 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.
Wisdom of Solomon · World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
Wisdom of Solomon 6 World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
Notes on this text (1)
- "World English Bible" is a trademark of eBible.org; the text is shown unaltered.
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
The apostle "desires to depart, and to be with Christ." And, "My soul desired to long for Thy judgments;" or if it is more appropriate to say, "My soul longed to desire Thy judgments." And, "The desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom." Yet there has always obtained the usage of understanding desire and concupiscence in a bad sense if …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
"For mighty" men (it is said) "shall be mightily tormented:" and "He that knew his Lord's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." So that more knowledge is a ground of more punishment.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
Only let us open to Him our doors; for He goeth about seeking such as are worthy and searching on whom He may confer His gifts.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
And, therefore, Scripture does not say that the multitude of the eloquent, but "the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world." And as we must often swallow wholesome bitters, so we must always avoid unwholesome sweets.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)