1 For your judgments, O Lord, are great, and your words are indescribable. Therefore, undisciplined souls have wandered astray.
2 For, while they managed to convince the unjust, so as to obtain dominion over the holy nation, they themselves were fettered with chains of darkness and of endless night, enclosed in their houses, fugitives of everlasting providence, lying in ruins.
3 And, while they thought to escape notice in their secret sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of oblivion, being horribly afraid, and having been disturbed with great astonishment.
4 For neither did the cave which enclosed them preserve them from fear, because descending noises disturbed them, and the sorrowful persons appearing to them intensified their fear.
5 And, indeed, even fire had no strength to provide them light, nor could the clear flames of the stars illuminate that horrible night.
6 Yet there appeared to them a sudden fire, filled with fear; and, having been struck with the fear of that face which is unseen, they considered those things which they did see to be worse,
7 and, having been ridiculed, the illusions were removed from their arts along with their contemptuous rebuke of glorious wisdom.
8 Indeed, those who promised to drive away fears and disturbances from a languishing soul, though they were filled with derision, were themselves languishing in fear.
9 And, even if nothing unnatural disturbed them, yet being agitated by the passing of animals and the hissing of snakes, they died of fear, denying what they themselves saw even in the air, which no one thinks to be able to escape.
10 For, while there may be apprehension with wickedness, it gives testimony to condemnation, for a troubled conscience always forecasts harshness.
11 For fear is nothing else but unfaithfulness to thinking helpful things.
12 And, while expectation is driven from within, the cause of this is supposing that one is great in knowledge, and as a result, conflict excels.
13 Yet those who were truly powerless that night, being overcome by both the vilest and the deepest hell, were sleeping the same sleep,
14 sometimes stirred up by the fear of unnatural things, other times sinking down in disgrace of soul, for a sudden and unexpected fear overcame them.
15 Then, if any among them had fallen away, he was kept in a prison without bars which had been left open.
16 For if a farmer, or a shepherd, or a worker in a field of labor were suddenly overcome, he endured an inescapable necessity.
17 For they were all bound together with one chain of darkness. Or if there were a whistling wind, or the sweet sound of birds among the thick tree branches, or the force of water rushing excessively,
18 or the strong noise of rocks crashing down, or the scattering of playful animals having been seen, or the strong voice of bellowing beasts, or the resounding of the highest mountain echo, these things made them sink down because of fear.
19 For the whole world was enlightened with a clear light, and none were being hindered in their labors.
20 But then, the heavy night was placed over the sun for them, an image of that darkness which was about to overcome them. Yet they were more grievous to themselves than was the darkness.
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Chapter 17 of the Wisdom Book addresses the theme of fear and night terror that can haunt people during sleep. The author presents how these fears are the result of human imagination and how it is possible to overcome them with the help of reason and trust in God. Following are five verses related to these themes:
Psalm 34:5: "I sought the Lord, and he welcomed me; he delivered me from all my fears." This verse speaks of the importance of seeking God to find comfort and liberation of fear.
Isaiah 41:10: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you with my victorious right hand." This verse shows how God's presence can be a source of strength and courage to overcome fear.
Matthew 6:34: "Therefore, don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring your own concerns. Your own evil is enough every day." This verse speaks of the importance of living the present without overcoming the future, which can lead to fear and anxiety.
2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, love and balance." This verse highlights how trust in God can help us overcome fear and find emotional balance.
1 John 4:18: "In love there is no fear; on the contrary the perfect love expels fear, because fear supposes punishment. He who is afraid is not perfected in love." This verse shows how love can be a source of security and peace, helping to overcome fear and anxiety.
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