1Heare therefore, O ye Kings, and vnderstande: learne, ye that be iudges of the endes of ye earth. 2Giue eare, ye that rule the multitudes and glorie in the multitude of people. 3For the rule is giuen you of the Lorde, and power by the most High, which wil try your works, and search out your imaginations. 4Because that ye being officers of his kingdome haue not iudged aright, nor kept the Lawe, nor walked after the will of God, 5Horribly & suddenly wil he appeare vnto you: for an hard iudgement shall they haue that beare rule. 6For he that is most low is worthy mercie, but the mightie shalbe mightily tormented. 7For he that is Lord ouer all, wil spare no person, neither shall he feare any greatnes: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike, 8But for the mightie abideth the sorer triall. 9Vnto you therefore, O tyrants, doe I speake, that ye may learne wisdome, and not goe amisse. 10For they that keepe holines holily, shalbe holy, and they that are learned there, shall find a defence. 11Wherefore set your delite vpon my wordes and desire them, and ye shalbe instructed. 12Wisedome shineth and neuer fadeth away, and is easily seene of them that loue her, and found of such as seeke her, 13She preuenteth them that desire her, that she may first shewe her selfe vnto them. 14Who so awaketh vnto her betimes, shal haue no great trauaile: for hee shall finde her sitting at his doores. 15To thinke vpo her then is perfect vnderstading: and who so watcheth for her, shalbe soone wtout care. 16For she goeth about, seeking such as are meete for her, and sheweth herselfe cheerefully vnto them in the wayes, and meeteth them in euery thought. 17For the most true desire of discipline is her beginning: and the care of discipline is loue: 18And loue is the keeping of her lawes: and the keeping of ye lawes is the assurance of immortalitie: 19And immortalitie maketh vs nere vnto God. 20Therefore the desire of wisedome leadeth to the kingdome. 21If your delite be then in thrones, and scepters, O Kings of the people, honour wisdome, that ye may reigne for euer. 22Nowe I will tell you what wisedome is, and whence it commeth, and will not hide the mysteries from you, but wil seeke her out from the beginning of her natiuitie, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not keepe backe the trueth. 23Neither wil I haue to do with consuming enuie: for such a man shal not be partaker of wisdome. 24But the multitude of the wise is the preseruation of the world, and a wise King is the stay of the people. 25Be therefore instructed by my wordes, and ye shall haue profite.