1
Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord with uprightness, and seek him with sincerity of heart;
2
because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him.
3
For perverse thoughts separate men from God, and when his power is tested, it convicts the foolish;
4
because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul, nor dwell in a body enslaved to sin.
5
For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit, and will rise and depart from foolish thoughts, and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness.
6
For wisdom is a kindly spirit and will not free a blasphemer from the guilt of his words; because God is witness of his inmost feelings, and a true observer of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
7
Because the Spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which holds all things together knows what is said;
8
therefore no one who utters unrighteous things will escape notice, and justice, when it punishes, will not pass him by.
9
For inquiry will be made into the counsels of an ungodly man, and a report of his words will come to the Lord, to convict him of his lawless deeds;