1 Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.

1 Melior est sapientia quam vires,
et vir prudens quam fortis.

2 Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.

2 Audite ergo, reges, et intelligite;
discite, judices finium terræ.

3 For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

3 Præbete aures, vos qui continetis multitudines,
et placetis vobis in turbis nationum.

4 Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;

4 Quoniam data est a Domino potestas vobis,
et virtus ab Altissimo:
qui interrogabit opera vestra, et cogitationes scrutabitur.

5 Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places.

5 Quoniam cum essetis ministri regni illius,
non recte judicastis, nec custodistis legem justitiæ,
neque secundum voluntatem Dei ambulastis.

6 For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented.

6 Horrende et cito apparebit vobis,
quoniam judicium durissimum his qui præsunt fiet.

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.

7 Exiguo enim conceditur misericordia;
potentes autem potenter tormenta patientur.

8 But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.

8 Non enim subtrahet personam cujusquam Deus,
nec verebitur magnitudinem ejus cujusquam,
quoniam pusillum et magnum ipse fecit,
et æqualiter cura est illi de omnibus.

9 Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away.

9 Fortioribus autem fortior instat cruciatio.

10 For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer.

10 Ad vos ergo, reges, sunt hi sermones mei:
ut discatis sapientiam, et non excidatis.

11 Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed.

11 Qui enim custodierint justa juste, justificabuntur;
et qui didicerint ista, invenient quid respondeant.

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.

12 Concupiscite ergo sermones meos;
diligite illos, et habebitis disciplinam.

13 She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them.

13 Clara est, et quæ numquam marcescit, sapientia:
et facile videtur ab his qui diligunt eam,
et invenitur ab his qui quærunt illam.

14 Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors.

14 Præoccupat qui se concupiscunt,
ut illis se prior ostendat.

15 To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care.

15 Qui de luce vigilaverit ad illam non laborabit;
assidentem enim illam foribus suis inveniet.

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.

16 Cogitare ergo de illa sensus est consummatus,
et qui vigilaverit propter illam cito securus erit.

17 For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;

17 Quoniam dignos se ipsa circuit quærens,
et in viis ostendit se hilariter,
et in omni providentia occurrit illis.

18 And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption;

18 Initium enim illius verissima est disciplinæ concupiscentia.

19 And incorruption maketh us near unto God:

19 Cura ergo disciplinæ dilectio est,
et dilectio custodia legum illius est;
custoditio autem legum consummatio incorruptionis est;

20 Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.

20 incorruptio autem facit esse proximum Deo.

21 If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore.

21 Concupiscentia itaque sapientiæ deducit ad regnum perpetuum.

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.

22 Si ergo delectamini sedibus et sceptris, o reges populi,
diligite sapientiam, ut in perpetuum regnetis:

23 Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom.

23 diligite lumen sapientiæ, omnes qui præestis populis.

24 But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people.

24 ¶ Quid est autem sapientia, et quemadmodum facta sit, referam,
et non abscondam a vobis sacramenta Dei:
sed ab initio nativitatis investigabo,
et ponam in lucem scientiam illius,
et non præteribo veritatem.

25 Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good.

25 Neque cum invidia tabescente iter habebo,
quoniam talis homo non erit particeps sapientiæ.

26 Multitudo autem sapientium sanitas est orbis terrarum,
et rex sapiens stabilimentum populi est.

27 Ergo accipite disciplinam per sermones meos,
et proderit vobis.