Wisdom of Solomon, 10

1. It was Wisdom who protected the first man to be fashioned, the father of the world, who had been created all alone, she it was who rescued him from his fall

1. Wisdom protected the first-formed father of the world, when he alone had been created; she delivered him from his transgression,

2. and gave him the strength to subjugate all things.

2. and gave him strength to rule all things.

3. But when in his wrath a wicked man deserted her, he perished in his fratricidal fury.

3. But when an unrighteous man departed from her in his anger, he perished because in rage he slew his brother.

4. When because of him the earth was drowned, it was Wisdom again who saved it, piloting the upright man on valueless timber.

4. When the earth was flooded because of him, wisdom again saved it, steering the righteous man by a paltry piece of wood.

5. Again, when, concurring in wickedness, the nations had been thrown into confusion, she singled out the upright man, preserved him blameless before God and fortified him against pity for his child.

5. Wisdom also, when the nations in wicked agreement had been confounded, recognized the righteous man and preserved him blameless before God, and kept him strong in the face of his compassion for his child.

6. She it was who, while the godless perished, saved the upright man as he fled from the fire raining down on the Five Cities,

6. Wisdom rescued a righteous man when the ungodly were perishing; he escaped the fire that descended on the Five Cities.

7. in witness against whose evil ways a desolate land still smokes, where plants bear fruit that never ripens and where, monument to an unbelieving soul, there stands a pillar of salt.

7. Evidence of their wickedness still remains: a continually smoking wasteland, plants bearing fruit that does not ripen, and a pillar of salt standing as a monument to an unbelieving soul.

8. For, by ignoring the path of Wisdom, not only did they suffer the loss of not knowing the good, but they left the world a memorial to their folly, so that their offences could not pass unnoticed.

8. For because they passed wisdom by, they not only were hindered from recognizing the good, but also left for mankind a reminder of their folly, so that their failures could never go unnoticed.

9. But Wisdom delivered her servants from their ordeals.

9. Wisdom rescued from troubles those who served her.

10. The upright man, fleeing from the anger of his brother, was led by her along straight paths. She showed him the kingdom of God and taught him the knowledge of holy things. She brought him success in his labours and gave him full return for all his efforts;

10. When a righteous man fled from his brother's wrath, she guided him on straight paths; she showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of angels; she prospered him in his labors, and increased the fruit of his toil.

11. she stood by him against grasping and oppressive men and she made him rich.

11. When his oppressors were covetous, she stood by him and made him rich.

12. She preserved him from his enemies and saved him from the traps they set for him. In an arduous struggle she awarded him the prize, to teach him that piety is stronger than all.

12. She protected him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those who lay in wait for him; in his arduous contest she gave him the victory, so that he might learn that godliness is more powerful than anything.

13. She did not forsake the upright man when he was sold, but snatched him away from sin;

13. When a righteous man was sold, wisdom did not desert him, but delivered him from sin. She descended with him into the dungeon,

14. she accompanied him down into the pit, nor did she abandon him in his chains until she had brought him the sceptre of a kingdom and authority over his despotic masters, thus exposing as liars those who had traduced him, and giving him honour everlasting.

14. and when he was in prison she did not leave him, until she brought him the scepter of a kingdom and authority over his masters. Those who accused him she showed to be false, and she gave him everlasting honor.

15. It was Wisdom who delivered a holy people, a blameless race, from a nation of oppressors.

15. A holy people and blameless race wisdom delivered from a nation of oppressors.

16. She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, and withstood fearsome kings with wonders and signs.

16. She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, and withstood dread kings with wonders and signs.

17. To the holy people she gave the wages of their labours; she guided them by a marvellous road, herself their shelter by day -- and their starlight through the night.

17. She gave holy men the reward of their labors; she guided them along a marvelous way, and became a shelter to them by day, and a starry flame through the night.

18. She brought them across the Red Sea, leading them through an immensity of water,

18. She brought them over the Red Sea, and led them through deep waters;

19. whereas she drowned their enemies, then spat them out from the depths of the abyss.

19. but she drowned their enemies, and cast them up from the depth of the sea.

20. So the upright despoiled the godless; Lord, they extolled your holy name, and with one accord praised your protecting hand;

20. Therefore the righteous plundered the ungodly; they sang hymns, O Lord, to thy holy name, and praised with one accord thy defending hand,

21. for Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb and made eloquent the tongues of babes.

21. because wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of babes speak clearly.