Nearly four thousand years ago, a dying Egyptian king turned to his son and heir and spoke. The words he left behind — warnings, prayers, and quiet counsel — became one of the most beloved wisdom texts of the ancient world. The Teaching for King Merikare is part royal testament, part instruction in the art of right living: how to choose trustworthy companions, govern with mercy rather than anger, speak with skill, and honour the gods who made us. Written in the shadow of civil war, it carries a startlingly modern message: that rule is a burden of care, that human beings are made in the image of the divine, and that kindness outlives any monument. This new edition renders the old wisdom in clear, faithful, present-day English, preserving the warmth and dignity of the original while inviting a new generation to read it with ease. Part of The World Scriptures Library.