Wisdom of Solomon, 10

1. She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall,

1. Wisdom protected the father of the world, the first man to be formed, who was created alone.

2. And gave him power to rule all things.

2. She delivered him from his fault and gave him power to govern all things.

3. But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.

3. When a violent man turning in anger strayed from Wisdom, he perished in his fratricidal fury.

4. For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value.

4. Because of the violent, the earth was submerged by the flood, but Wisdom again saved it by piloting an upright man on a frail piece of wood.

5. Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded, she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless unto God, and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son.

5. Again when the nations, united in evil, had been thrown into confusion, it was Wisdom who singled out a righteous man, keeping him blameless before God and steadfast, despite his pity for his child.

6. When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities.

6. It was she who, when the godless perished, saved the righteous man and let him flee from the fire pouring down on the Five Cities.

7. Of whose wickedness even to this day the waste land that smoketh is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness: and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul.

7. To this day the arid land, a smoking waste, witnesses to their perversity, for plants there bear unripe fruit and a pillar of salt stands as a monument to an unbelieving woman.

8. For regarding not wisdom, they gat not only this hurt, that they knew not the things which were good; but also left behind them to the world a memorial of their foolishness: so that in the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be hid.

8. For having ignored Wisdom, not only were they kept from knowing what is good, but their ruins were left as a monument to their foolishness so that their failure might never be forgotten.

9. Rut wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her.

9. But Wisdom rescued her servants from their trials.

10. When the righteous fled from his brother's wrath she guided him in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied the fruit of his labours.

10. Along straight paths she led the upright man who fled from his brother's anger. She showed him God's kingdom and let him know the holy angels; she made him prosperous and successful in his toil.

11. In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him, and made him rich.

11. Wisdom stood by him against the greed of oppressors and made him rich.

12. She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that goodness is stronger than all.

12. She protected him from his enemies and saved him from the traps they set for him; with Wisdom he triumphed in an arduous struggle, learning in this way that nothing is as strong as piety.

13. When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not, but delivered him from sin: she went down with him into the pit,

13. She did not abandon the righteous man when he was sold; still more she kept him free from sin.

14. And left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and gave him perpetual glory.

14. She went down into the cistern with him; she did not leave him in chains, but made him the ruler of a kingdom, giving him authority over his oppressors. She denounced as liars those who accused him falsely and gave him everlasting honor.

15. She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them.

15. It was she who rescued an innocent and holy people from a nation of oppressors.

16. She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, and withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs;

16. She entered the soul of God's servant and through him withstood terrible kings with signs and wonders.

17. Rendered to the righteous a reward of their labours, guided them in a marvellous way, and was unto them for a cover by day, and a light of stars in the night season;

17. To the holy people she gave the wages of their labor, leading them in a wonderful way, giving them shade during the day and the light of the stars at night.

18. Brought them through the Red sea, and led them through much water:

18. She brought them across the Red Sea, but drowned their enemies

19. But she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep.

19. and later washed them ashore from the depth of the abyss.

20. Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly, and praised thy holy name, O Lord, and magnified with one accord thine hand, that fought for them.

20. So the righteous looted the godless, singing hymns, Lord, to your holy Name, and one in heart, they gave thanks for your saving hand.

21. For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of them that cannot speak eloquent.

21. Wisdom gives speech to the dumb and makes infants speak clearly.