To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed: A monarch is a ruler with absolute power. See the note at 6.1 on the range of terms used by the author in addressing the rulers of the world. In some languages it will be better to restructure this clause; for example, “I am writing these words for you powerful rulers” or “I am speaking to….”

That you may learn wisdom and not transgress: Wisdom here refers to knowing enough to do the right thing; Good News Translation renders the first clause as “so that you may know how to act wisely.” For and not transgress, Good News Translation has “and avoid mistakes.” This is possible and certainly fits the immediate context, but it may also be rendered as in New American Bible: “that you may not sin.” We prefer the New American Bible rendering, since it fits well with the next verse. Contemporary English Version follows this interpretation with “so that you will have wisdom and not sin against God.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.