Wisdom of Solomon 1:2
For He will be found *Matthew 7:7, *Luke 11:9 of those who do not tempt Him; and shows Himself to those who do not disbelieve Him.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:3
For crooked thoughts separate from God; and His power, when it is tried, exposes the unwise.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:4
For wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul; nor dwell in the body that is subject to sin.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:5
For the Holy Spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness comes in.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:6
For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words; for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:7
For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world; and that which contains all things has knowledge of the voice.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:8
Therefore he who speaks unrighteous things cannot be hidden; neither will vengeance, when it punishes, pass by him.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:9
For inquisition will be made into the counsels of the ungodly; and the sound of his words will come to the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:10
For the ear of jealousy hears all things; and the noise of murmurings is not hidden.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:11
Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting; *49:12 for there is no word so secret, that will go for nothing; and the mouth that belies slays the soul.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:12
Do not seek death in the error of your life; and do not pull destruction upon yourselves with the works of your hands. *2:195, *4:29
Wisdom of Solomon 1:13
For God did not make death; neither does He have pleasure in the destruction of the living.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:14
For He created all things, that they might have their being; and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth:
Wisdom of Solomon 1:15
(For righteousness is immortal:)
Wisdom of Solomon 1:16
But ungodly men, with their works and words called it to them; for when they thought to have it [as] their friend, they consumed to nothing, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:1
For the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not aright, "Our life is short and tedious, and in the death of a man there is no remedy; neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:2
For we are born at all adventure; and hereafter, we will be as though we had never been; for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke, and a little spark in the moving of our heart:
Wisdom of Solomon 2:3
Which, being extinguished, our body will be turned into ashes, and our spirit will vanish as the soft air,
Wisdom of Solomon 2:4
And our name will be forgotten in time, and no man will have our works in remembrance, and our life will pass away as the trace of a cloud, and will be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:5
For our time is a very shadow that passes away; and after our end there is no returning; for it is fast sealed, so that no man comes again.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:6
Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present; and let us speedily use the creatures as in youth.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:7
Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments; and let no flower of the spring pass by us:
Wisdom of Solomon 2:8
Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they are withered:
Wisdom of Solomon 2:9
Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness; let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place; for this is our portion, and our lot is this.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:10
Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:11
Let our strength be the law of justice; for that which is feeble is found to be worth nothing.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:12
Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings; he upbraids us with our offending the law, and objects to our infamy the transgressings of our education," [the ungodly said].
Wisdom of Solomon 2:13
He professes to have the knowledge of God; and he calls himself the child of the Lord.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:14
He was made to expose our thoughts.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:15
He is grievous to us even to behold; for his life is not like other men's, his ways are of another fashion.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:16
We are esteemed of him as counterfeits; he abstains from our ways as from filthiness; he pronounces the end of the just to be blessed, and makes his boast that God is his Father.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:17
Let us see if his words are true; and let us prove what will happen in the end of him.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:18
For if the just man is the son of God, He will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:19
Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and test his patience.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:20
Let us condemn him with a shameful death; for by his own saying, he will be respected.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:21
Such things did they imagine, and were deceived; for their own wickedness has blinded them.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:22
As for the mysteries of God, they did not know them; neither did they hope for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:23
For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of His own eternity.
Wisdom of Solomon 2:24
Nevertheless, through envy of the devil, death came into the world; and those who hold of his side find it.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:1
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will touch them.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:2
In the sight of the unwise, they seemed to die; and their departure is taken for misery,
Wisdom of Solomon 3:3
And their going from us to be utter destruction; but they are in peace.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:4
For though they are punished in the sight of men, yet their hope is full of immortality.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:5
And having been a little chastised, they will be greatly rewarded; for God tested them, and found them worthy for Himself.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:6
As gold in the furnace, He has tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:7
And in the time of their visitation, they will shine, and run here and there like sparks among the stubble.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:8
They will judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord will reign forever.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:9
Those who put their trust in Him will understand the truth; and such who are faithful in love will abide with Him; for grace and mercy are to His saints, and He has care for His elect.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:10
But the ungodly will be punished according to their own imaginations, who have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the Lord.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:11
For whoso despises wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labors unfruitful, and their works unprofitable:
Wisdom of Solomon 3:12
Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked:
Wisdom of Solomon 3:13
Their offspring are cursed. Therefore, blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which has not known the sinful bed; she will have fruit in the visitation of souls.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:14
And blessed is the eunuch, who, with his hands, has done no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God; for to him will be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the Lord more acceptable to his mind.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:15
For glorious is the fruit of good labors; and the root of wisdom will never fall away.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:16
As for the children of adulterers, they will not come to their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed will be rooted out.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:17
For though they live long, yet they will be regarded [as] nothing; and their last age will be without honor.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:18
Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the Day of Trial.
Wisdom of Solomon 3:19
For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:1
It is better to have no children, and to have virtue; for the memorial thereof is immortal; because it is known with God, and with men.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:2
When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is gone, they desire it; it wears a crown, and triumphs forever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:3
But the multiplying brood of the ungodly will not thrive, nor take deep rooting from bastard slips, nor lay any fast foundation.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:4
For though they flourish in branches for a time; yet not standing last, they will be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds, they will be rooted out.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:5
The imperfect branches will be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, indeed, meet for nothing.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:6
For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:7
But though the righteous are prevented with death, yet he will be in rest.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:8
For honorable age is not that which stands in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:9
But wisdom is the gray hair to men, and an unspotted life is old age.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:10
He pleased God, and was beloved of Him; so that living among sinners he was translated.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:11
Indeed speedily, was he taken away, unless that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:12
For the bewitching of naughtiness obscures things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence undermines the simple mind.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:13
He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time:
Wisdom of Solomon 4:14
For his soul pleased the Lord; therefore He hasted to take him away from among the wicked.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:15
The people saw this, and did not understand it, neither did they lay this up in their minds, that His grace and mercy is with His saints, and that He has respect to His chosen.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:16
Thus the righteous who are dead will condemn the ungodly who are living; and youth who are soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:17
For they will see the end of the wise, and will not understand what God, in His counsel, has decreed of him, and to what end the Lord has set him in safety.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:18
They will see him, and despise him; but God will laugh them to scorn; and hereafter, they will be a vile carcase, and a reproach among the dead forevermore.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:19
For He will rend them, and cast them down headlong, that they will be speechless; and He will shake them from the foundation; and they will be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial will perish.
Wisdom of Solomon 4:20
And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they will come with fear; and their own iniquities will convince them to their face. *24:24, *36:65, *41:20
Wisdom of Solomon 5:1
Then the righteous man will stand in great boldness before the face of such who have afflicted him, and made no account of his labors.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:2
When they see it, they will be troubled with terrible fear, and will be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all that they looked for.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:3
And they, repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit, will say within themselves, "This was he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach:
Wisdom of Solomon 5:4
We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honor:
Wisdom of Solomon 5:5
How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints!
Wisdom of Solomon 5:6
Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness has not shined to us, and the sun of righteousness did not rise upon us.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:7
We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction; indeed, we have gone through deserts, where there lay no way; but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:8
What has pride profited us? Or what good has riches with our vaunting brought us?"
Wisdom of Solomon 5:9
All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a post that hasted by;
Wisdom of Solomon 5:10
And as a ship that passes over the waves of the water, which when it has gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pathway of the keel in the waves;
Wisdom of Solomon 5:11
Or as when a bird has flown through the air, there is no token of her way to be found, but the light air, being beaten with the stroke of her wings, and parted with the violent noise and motion of them, is passed through, and therein afterwards, no sign where she went is to be found;
Wisdom of Solomon 5:12
Or as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parts the air, which immediately comes together again, so that a man cannot know where it went through:
Wisdom of Solomon 5:13
Even so, we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began to draw to our end, and had no sign of virtue to show; but were consumed in our own wickedness.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:14
For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind; *14:18, *25:23 like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; *2:264 like the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest, and passes away as the remembrance of a guest that waits but a day.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:15
But the righteous live forevermore; their reward is also with the Lord, and the care of them is with the Most High.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:16
Therefore they will receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand; for with His right hand, He will cover them, and with His arm, He will protect them.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:17
He will take to Him His jealousy for complete armor, and make the creature His weapon for the revenge of His enemies.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:18
He will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of a helmet.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:19
He will take holiness for an invincible shield.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:20
He will sharpen His severe wrath for a sword, and the world will fight with Him against the unwise.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:21
Then the right aiming thunderbolts will go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, they will fly to the mark.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:22
And hailstones full of wrath will be cast, as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea will rage against them, and the floods will cruelly drown them.
Wisdom of Solomon 5:23
Indeed, a mighty wind will stand up against them, and like a storm, will blow them away; thus iniquity will lay waste to the whole earth, and ill dealing will overthrow the thrones of the mighty.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:1
Hear therefore, O you kings, and understand; learn, you who are judges of the ends of the earth.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:2
Give ear, you who rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:3
For power is given to you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who will try your works, *6:165 and search out your counsels.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:4
Because, being ministers of His kingdom, you have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;
Wisdom of Solomon 6:5
Horribly and speedily, He will come upon you; for a sharp judgment will be to those who are in high places.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:6
For mercy will soon pardon the meanest; but mighty men will be mightily tormented.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:7
For He who is Lord over all will fear no man's person, neither will He stand in awe of any man's greatness; for He has made the small and great, and cares for all alike.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:8
But a sore trial will come upon the mighty.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:9
To you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall away.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:10
For those who keep the benign things benign will be judged benignly; and those who have learned such things will find what to answer.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:11
Therefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and you will be instructed.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:12
Wisdom is glorious, and never fades away; indeed, she is easily seen of those who love her, and found of such who seek her.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:13
She prevents those who desire her, in making herself first known to them.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:14
Whoso seeks her early will have no great travail; for he will find her sitting at his doors.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:15
To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom; and whoso watches for her will quickly be without care.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:16
For she goes about seeking such who are worthy of her, shows herself favourably to them in the ways, and meets them in every thought.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:17
For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;
Wisdom of Solomon 6:18
And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed to her laws is the assurance of incorruption;
Wisdom of Solomon 6:19
And incorruption makes us near to God:
Wisdom of Solomon 6:20
Therefore the desire of wisdom brings to a kingdom.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:21
If your delight is then in thrones and sceptres, O you kings of the people, honor wisdom, that you may reign forevermore.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:22
As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries from you; but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not pass over the truth.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:23
Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man will have no fellowship with wisdom.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:24
But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world; and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
Wisdom of Solomon 6:25
Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it will do you good.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:1
I myself am also a mortal man, like all, and the offspring of him who was first made of the earth,
Wisdom of Solomon 7:2
And in my mother's womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months, being compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure that came with sleep.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:3
And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:4
I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:5
For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:6
For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:7
Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given to me; I called upon God, and the Spirit of Wisdom came to me.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:8
I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:9
Neither did I compare any precious stone to her, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver will be counted as clay before her.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:10
I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light; for the light that comes from her never goes out.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:11
All good things came together to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:12
And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goes before them; and I did not know that she was the mother of them.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:13
I learned diligently, and communicate her liberally; I do not hide her riches.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:14
For she is a treasure to men that never fails; which those who use become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:15
God has granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is meet for the things that are given me; because it is He who leads to wisdom, and directs the wise.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:16
For in His hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:17
For He has given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements:
Wisdom of Solomon 7:18
The beginning, ending, and midst of the times; the alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons:
Wisdom of Solomon 7:19
The circuits of years, and the positions of stars:
Wisdom of Solomon 7:20
The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts; the violence of winds, and the reasonings of men; the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots:
Wisdom of Solomon 7:21
And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:22
For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me; for in her is an understanding Holy Spirit, only one, manifold, subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do good,
Wisdom of Solomon 7:23
Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtil, spirits.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:24
For wisdom is more moving than any motion; she passes and goes through all things by reason of her pureness.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:25
For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty; therefore can no defiled thing fall into her.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:26
For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of His goodness.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:27
And being but one, she can do all things; and remaining in herself, she makes all things new; and in all ages entering into holy souls, she makes them friends of God, and prophets.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:28
For God loves none but him who dwells with wisdom.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:29
For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars; being compared with the light, she is found before it.
Wisdom of Solomon 7:30
For after this comes night; but vice will not prevail against wisdom.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:1
Wisdom reaches mightily from one end to another; and she orders all things sweetly.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:2
I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:3
In that she is conversant with God, she magnifies her nobility; indeed, the Lord of all things Himself loved her.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:4
For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of His works.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:5
If riches are a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that works all things?
Wisdom of Solomon 8:6
And if prudence works; who of all that is, is a more cunning workman than her?
Wisdom of Solomon 8:7
And if a man loves righteousness, her labors are virtues; for she teaches temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude; which are such things, as one can have nothing more profitable in their life.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:8
If a man desires much experience, she knows things of old, and conjectures aright what is to come; she knows the subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences; she foresees signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:9
Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counselor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:10
For her sake, I will have estimation among the multitude, and honor with the elders, though I am young.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:11
I will be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and will be admired in the sight of great men.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:12
When I hold my tongue, they will bide my leisure, and when I speak, they will give good ear to me; if I talk much, they will lay their hands upon their mouth.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:13
Moreover, by the means of her, I will obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to those who come after me.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:14
I will set the people in order, and the nations will be subject to me.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:15
Horrible tyrants will be afraid, when they but hear of me; I will be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:16
After I have come into my house, I will repose myself with her; for her conversation has no bitterness; and to live with her has no sorrow, but mirth and joy.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:17
Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, that to be allied to wisdom is immortality;
Wisdom of Solomon 8:18
And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to take her to me.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:19
For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:20
Indeed rather, being good, I came into an undefiled body.
Wisdom of Solomon 8:21
Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her to me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed to the Lord, and besought Him, and with my whole heart I said,
Wisdom of Solomon 9:1
"O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who has made all things with Your word, *2:117, *16:40, *36:82, *40:68
Wisdom of Solomon 9:2
And ordained man through Your wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which You have made,
Wisdom of Solomon 9:3
And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart:
Wisdom of Solomon 9:4
Give me wisdom, that sits by Your Throne; and do not reject me from among Your children:
Wisdom of Solomon 9:5
For I, Your servant, and son of Your handmaid, am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.
Wisdom of Solomon 9:6
For though a man is never so perfect among the children of men, yet if Your wisdom is not with him, he will be regarded [as] nothing.
Wisdom of Solomon 9:7
You have chosen me to be a king of Your people, and a judge of Your sons and daughters:
Wisdom of Solomon 9:8
You have commanded me to build a temple upon Your holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein You dwell, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which You have prepared from the beginning.
Wisdom of Solomon 9:9
And wisdom was with You; which knows Your works, and was present when You made the world, and knew what was acceptable in Your sight, and right in Your commandments.
Wisdom of Solomon 9:10
O send her out of Your holy heavens, and from the Throne of Your glory, that being present, she may labor with me, that I may know what is pleasing to You.
Wisdom of Solomon 9:11
For she knows and understands all things, and she will soberly lead me in my doings, and preserve me in her power.
Wisdom of Solomon 9:12
So will my works be acceptable, and then I will judge Your people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father's seat.
Wisdom of Solomon 9:13
For what man is he who can know the counsel of God? Or who can think what the will of the Lord is?
Wisdom of Solomon 9:14
For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain.
Wisdom of Solomon 9:15
For the corruptible body presses down the soul, and the earthly tabernacle weighs down the mind that muses upon many things.
Wisdom of Solomon 9:16
And we hardly guess aright at things that are upon earth, and we find the things that are before us with labor; but the things that are in heaven, who has searched out?
Wisdom of Solomon 9:17
And Your counsel, who has known, except You give wisdom, and send Your Holy Spirit from above?
Wisdom of Solomon 9:18
For so the ways of those who lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing to You, and were saved through wisdom.
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,
Wisdom of Solomon 10:2
And gave him power to rule all things.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:3
But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he also perished in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:4
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.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:5
Moreover, the nations, being confounded in their wicked conspiracy, *71:21 - 22 she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless to God, and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son. *11:42, *11:45
Wisdom of Solomon 10:6
When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:7
Of whose wickedness, even to this day, the waste land that smokes 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.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:8
For not regarding wisdom, they got not only this hurt, that they did not know the things which were good; but also left a memorial of their foolishness behind them to the world; so that in the things wherein they offended, they could not so much as be hid.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:9
But wisdom delivered those who attended upon her from pain.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:10
When the righteous fled from his brother's wrath, she guided him in right paths, showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied the fruit of his labors.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:11
In the covetousness of such who oppressed him, she stood by him, and made him rich.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:12
She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those who lay in wait, and in a sore conflict, she gave him the victory; that he might know that goodness is stronger than all.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:13
When the righteous was sold, she did not forsake him, but delivered him from sin; she went down with him into the pit,
Wisdom of Solomon 10:14
And did not leave him in bonds, until she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those who oppressed him; as for those who had accused him, she showed them to be liars, and gave him perpetual glory.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:15
She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:16
She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, and withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs;
Wisdom of Solomon 10:17
Rendered to the righteous, a reward of their labors, guided them in a marvelous way, and was to them for a cover by day, and a light of stars in the night season;
Wisdom of Solomon 10:18
Brought them through the Red sea, and led them through much water:
Wisdom of Solomon 10:19
But she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:20
Therefore, the righteous spoiled the ungodly, and praised Your holy name, O Lord, and magnified Your hand with one accord, that fought for them.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:21
For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of those who cannot speak, eloquent.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:1
She prospered their works in the hand of the holy prophet.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:2
They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited, and pitched tents in places where there lay no way.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:3
They stood against their enemies, and were avenged of their adversaries.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:4
When they were thirsty, they called upon You, and water was given to them out of the flinty rock, and their thirst was quenched out of the hard stone.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:5
For by what things their enemies were punished, by the same, they in their need, were benefited.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:6
For instead of a perpetual running river troubled with foul blood,
Wisdom of Solomon 11:7
For a manifest reproof of that commandment, whereby the infants were slain, You gave to them an abundance of water by a means which they did not hope for:
Wisdom of Solomon 11:8
Declaring by that thirst, then how You had punished their adversaries.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:9
For when they were tried, albeit but in mercy, chastised, they knew how the ungodly were judged in wrath and tormented, thirsting in another manner than the just.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:10
For these You admonished and tried, as a father; but the other, as a severe king, You condemned and punished.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:11
Whether they were absent or present, they were vexed alike.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:12
For a double grief came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:13
For when they heard by their own punishments, the other to be benefited, they had some feeling of the Lord.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:14
For whom they respected with scorn, when he was long before thrown out at the casting forth of the infants, him in the end, when they saw what came to pass, they admired.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:15
But for the foolish devices of their wickedness, wherewith being deceived, they served serpents void of reason, and vile beasts, You sent a multitude of unreasonable beasts upon them for vengeance;
Wisdom of Solomon 11:16
That they might know, that wherewithal a man sins, by the same, he will also be punished.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:17
For Your almighty hand, that made the world of matter without form, wanted not means to send a multitude of bears or fierce lions among them,
Wisdom of Solomon 11:18
Or unknown wild beasts, full of rage, newly created, breathing out either a fiery vapor, or filthy scents of scattered smoke, or shooting horrible sparkles out of their eyes:
Wisdom of Solomon 11:19
Whereof, not only the harm might dispatch them at once, but also the terrible sight, utterly destroy them.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:20
Indeed, and without these, they might have fallen down with one blast, being persecuted of vengeance, and scattered abroad through the breath of Your power; but You have ordered all things in measure and number and weight.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:21
For You can show Your great strength at all times when You will; and who may withstand the power of Your arm?
Wisdom of Solomon 11:22
For the whole world before You is as a little grain of the balance, indeed, as a drop of the morning dew that falls down upon the earth.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:23
But You have mercy upon all; for You can do all things, and wink at the sins of men, because they should amend.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:24
For You love all the things that are, and abhor nothing which You have made; for never would You have made anything, if You had hated it.
Wisdom of Solomon 11:25
And how could anything have endured, if it had not been Your will? Or been preserved, if not called by You?
Wisdom of Solomon 11:26
But You spare all; for they are Yours, O Lord, You lover of souls.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:1
For Your incorruptible Spirit is in all things.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:2
Therefore, chasten them little by little, who offend, and warn them by putting them in remembrance wherein they have offended, that leaving their wickedness they may believe on You, O Lord.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:3
For it was Your will to destroy by the hands of our fathers, both those old inhabitants of Your holy land,
Wisdom of Solomon 12:4
Whom You hated for doing most odious works of witchcrafts, and wicked sacrifices;
Wisdom of Solomon 12:5
And also those merciless murderers of children, and devourers of man's flesh, and the feasts of blood,
Wisdom of Solomon 12:6
With their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew, and the parents, who killed souls destitute of help with their own hands:
Wisdom of Solomon 12:7
That the land, which You esteemed above all others, might receive a worthy colony of God's children.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:8
Nevertheless, even those You spared as men, and sent wasps, forerunners of Your host, to destroy them little by little.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:9
Not that You were unable to bring the ungodly under the hand of the righteous in battle, or to destroy them at once with cruel beasts, or with one rough word:
Wisdom of Solomon 12:10
But executing Your judgments upon them little by little, You gave them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a naughty generation, and that their malice was bred in them, and that their cogitation would never be changed.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:11
For it was a cursed seed from the beginning; neither did You for fear of any man, give them pardon for those things wherein they sinned.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:12
For who will say, "What have You done?" Or who will withstand Your judgment? Or who will accuse You for the nations that perish, whom You made? Or who will come to stand against You, to be revenged for the unrighteous men?
Wisdom of Solomon 12:13
For neither is there any god but You, who cares for all, to whom You might show that Your judgment is not unright.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:14
Neither will king or tyrant be able to set his face against You for any whom You have punished.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:15
Forsomuch then as You are righteous Yourself, You order all things righteously; thinking it not agreeable with Your power to condemn him who has not deserved to be punished.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:16
For Your power is the beginning of righteousness, and because You are the Lord of all, it makes You to be gracious to all.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:17
For when men will not believe that You are of a full power, You show Your strength, and among those who know it, You make their boldness manifest.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:18
But You, mastering Your power, judge with equity, and order us with great favor; for You may use power when You will.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:19
But by such works You have taught Your people that the just man should be merciful, and have made Your children to be of a good hope that You give repentance for sins.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:20
For if You punished the enemies of Your children, and the condemned to death, with such deliberation, giving them time and place, whereby they might be delivered from their malice:
Wisdom of Solomon 12:21
With how great circumspection did You judge Your own sons, to whose fathers You have sworn, and made covenants of good promises?
Wisdom of Solomon 12:22
Therefore, whereas You chasten us, You scourge our enemies a thousand times more, to the intent that, when we judge, we should carefully think of Your goodness, and when we ourselves are judged, we should look for mercy.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:23
Therefore, whereas men have lived dissolutely and unrighteously, You have tormented them with their own abominations.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:24
For they went astray very far in the ways of error, and held them for gods, which even among the beasts of their enemies were despised, being deceived, as children of no understanding.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:25
Therefore to them, as to children without the use of reason, You sent a judgment to mock them.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:26
But those who would not be reformed by that correction, wherein he dallied with them, will feel a judgment worthy of God.
Wisdom of Solomon 12:27
For, look, for what things they grudged, when they were punished, that is, for those whom they thought to be gods; now being punished in them, when they saw it, they acknowledged Him to be the true God, whom before they denied to know; and therefore extreme damnation came upon them.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:1
Surely all men are vain by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not, out of the good things that are seen, know Him that is; neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster;
Wisdom of Solomon 13:2
But deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the gods which govern the world.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:3
With whose beauty, if they, being delighted, took them to be gods; let them know how much better the Lord of them is; for the first author of beauty has created them.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:4
But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them, how much mightier He is who made them.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:5
For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures proportionably, the Maker of them is seen.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:6
But yet for this, they are the less to be blamed; for they peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find Him.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:7
For being conversant in His works, they search Him diligently, and believe their sight; because the things are beautiful that are seen.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:8
Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:9
For if they were able to know so much, that they could aim at the world; how did they not find out the Lord thereof sooner?
Wisdom of Solomon 13:10
But they are miserable, and their hope is in dead things, who call them gods, which are the works of men's hands, gold and silver, to show art in, and resemblances of beasts, or a stone good for nothing, the work of an ancient hand.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:11
Now a carpenter that fells timber, after he has sawn down a tree meet for the purpose, and taken off all the bark skillfully round about, and has worked it handsomely, and made a vessel thereof, fit for the service of man's life;
Wisdom of Solomon 13:12
And after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat, has filled himself;
Wisdom of Solomon 13:13
And taking the very refuse among those which served to no use, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, has carved it diligently, when he had nothing else to do, and formed it by the skill of his understanding, and fashioned it to the image of a man;
Wisdom of Solomon 13:14
Or made it like some vile beast, laying it over with vermilion, and coloring it red with paint, and covering every spot therein;
Wisdom of Solomon 13:15
And when he had made a convenient room for it, set it in a wall, and made it fast with iron:
Wisdom of Solomon 13:16
For he provided for it that it might not fall, knowing that it was unable to help itself; for it is an image, and has need of help: *7:192, *7:197, *21:43, *36:74 - 75
Wisdom of Solomon 13:17
Then he makes prayer for his goods, for his wife and children, and is not ashamed to speak to that which has no life.
Wisdom of Solomon 13:18
For health, he calls upon that which is weak; for life, prays to that which is dead; for aid, humbly beseeches that which has least means to help; and for a good journey he asks of that which cannot set a foot forward:
Wisdom of Solomon 13:19
And for gaining and getting, and for good success of his hands, asks ability to do of him, that is most unable to do anything. *16:73
Wisdom of Solomon 14:1
Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through the raging waves, calls upon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carries him.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:2
For verily, desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it by his skill.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:3
But Your providence, O Father, governs it; for You have made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves;
Wisdom of Solomon 14:4
Showing that You can save from all danger; indeed, though a man went to sea without art.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:5
Nevertheless, You would not will that the works of Your wisdom should be idle, and therefore men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel, are saved.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:6
For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governed by Your hand, escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages, a seed of generation.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:7
For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness comes.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:8
But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he that made it; he, because he made it; and it, because, being corruptible, it was called god.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:9
For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike, hateful to God.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:10
For that which is made will be punished together with him who made it.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:11
Therefore, even upon the idols of the Gentiles will there be a visitation; because in the creature of God, they have become an abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:12
For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual fornication, and the invention of them, the corruption of life.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:13
For neither were they from the beginning, neither will they be forever.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:14
For by the vain glory of men, they entered into the world, and therefore they will come shortly to an end.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:15
For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he has made an image of his child soon taken away, now honored him as a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those who were under him, ceremonies and sacrifices.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:16
Thus in process of time, an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and graven images were served by the commandments of kings.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:17
Whom men could not honor in presence, because they dwelt far off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from afar, and made an express image of a king whom they honored, to the end that by this, their forwardness, they might flatter him who was absent, as if he were present.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:18
Also, the singular diligence of the artificer helped to set forward the ignorant to more superstition.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:19
For he, peradventure, willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:20
And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honored.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:21
And this was an occasion to deceive the world; for men, serving either calamity or tyranny, ascribed to stones, and stocks the incommunicable name.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:22
Moreover, this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance, they called those so great plagues peace.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:23
For while they slew their children in sacrifices, *6:137 or used secret ceremonies, or made revelings of strange rites;
Wisdom of Solomon 14:24
They neither kept lives or marriages any longer undefiled; but either one slew another treacherously, or grieved him by adultery.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:25
So that there reigned in all men without exception, blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury,
Wisdom of Solomon 14:26
Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:27
For the serving of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:28
For either they are mad when they are merry, or prophesy lies, or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:29
For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life; though they swear falsely, yet they do not look to be hurt.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:30
Howbeit for both causes they will be justly punished; both because they thought not well of God, giving heed to idols, and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness.
Wisdom of Solomon 14:31
For it is not the power of them by whom they swear; but it is the just vengeance of sinners, that always punishes the offence of the ungodly.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:1
But You, O God, are gracious and true, longsuffering, and ordering all things in mercy,
Wisdom of Solomon 15:2
For if we sin, we are Yours, knowing Your power; but we will not sin, knowing that we are counted Yours.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:3
For to know You is perfect righteousness; indeed, to know Your power is the root of immortality.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:4
For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor an image spotted with various colors, the painter's fruitless labor;
Wisdom of Solomon 15:5
The sight thereof entices fools to lust after it, and so they desire the form of a dead image, that has no breath.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:6
Both those who make them, those who desire them, and those who serve them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to have such things to trust upon.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:7
For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashions every vessel with much labor for our service; indeed, of the same clay, he makes both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise also all such that serve to the contrary; but what is the use of either sort, the potter himself is the judge.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:8
And employing his labors lewdly, he makes a vain god of the same clay, even he who, a little before was made of earth himself, and within a little while after, returns to the same, out of which, when his life which was lent to him will be demanded.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:9
Notwithstanding, his care is, not that he will have much labor, nor that his life is short; but strives to excel goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavours to do like the workers in brass, and counts it his glory to make counterfeit things.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:10
His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his life of less value than clay:
Wisdom of Solomon 15:11
Forasmuch as he did not know his Maker, and Him who inspired into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:12
But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a market for gain; for, they say, we must be getting every way, though it is by evil means.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:13
For this man, that of earthly matter, makes brittle vessels and graven images, knows himself to offend above all others.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:14
And all the enemies of Your people, who hold them in subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very babes.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:15
For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods; which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as for their feet, they are slow to go. *7:195
Wisdom of Solomon 15:16
For man made them, and he who borrowed his own spirit fashioned them; but no man can make a god like to himself.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:17
For being mortal, he works a dead thing with wicked hands; for he himself is better than the things which he serves; whereas he lived once, but they, never.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:18
Indeed, they served those beasts also that are most hateful; for being compared together, some are worse than others.
Wisdom of Solomon 15:19
Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in respect of beasts; but they went without the praise of God and His blessing.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:1
Therefore, they were punished worthily by the like, and tormented by the multitude of beasts.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:2
Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with Your own people, You prepared for them meat of a strange taste, even quails to stir up their appetite:
Wisdom of Solomon 16:3
To the end that they, desiring food, for the ugly sight of the beasts sent among them, might lothe even that, which they must desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space, might be made partakers of a strange taste.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:4
For it was requisite, that upon them, exercising tyranny should come penury, which they could not avoid; but to these, it should only be shown how their enemies were tormented.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:5
For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these, and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, Your wrath did not endure forever:
Wisdom of Solomon 16:6
But they were troubled for a small season, that they might be admonished, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of Your law.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:7
For he who turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw, but by You, *Numbers 21:8 - 9 who are the Savior of all. *1 Timothy 4:10
Wisdom of Solomon 16:8
And in this You made Your enemies confess, that it is You who delivers from all evil:
Wisdom of Solomon 16:9
For them, the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed, neither was any remedy for their life found; for they were worthy to be punished by such.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:10
But Your sons, not [even] the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame; for Your mercy was ever by them, and healed them.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:11
For they were pricked, that they should remember Your words; and were quickly saved, that not falling into deep forgetfulness, they might be continually mindful of Your goodness.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:12
For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaister, that restored them to health; but Your word, O Lord, which heals all things. *26:80
Wisdom of Solomon 16:13
For You have power of life and death; *7:158, *9:116, *10:56, *15:23, *22:66, *23:80, *40:68, *44:8, *50:43, *53:44, *57:2 You lead to the gates of Hell, and bring up again.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:14
A man indeed kills through his malice; and the spirit, when it has gone forth, does not return; neither does the soul [that is] received up come again.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:15
But it is not possible to escape Your hand.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:16
For the ungodly, who denied to know You, were scourged by the strength of Your arm; with strange rains, hails, and showers, were they persecuted, that they could not avoid, and they were consumed through fire.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:17
For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force in the water, that quenches all things; for the world fights for the righteous.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:18
For the flame was sometime mitigated, that it might not burn up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly; but might see themselves and perceive that they were persecuted with the judgment of God.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:19
And at another time, it even burns in the midst of water above the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:20
Instead whereof You fed Your own people with angels' food, and sent them bread from heaven prepared without their labor, able to content every man's delight, and agreeing to every taste.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:21
For Your sustenance declared Your sweetness to Your children, and serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man's liking.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:22
But snow and ice endured the fire, and did not melt, that they might know that fire burning in the hail, and sparkling in the rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:23
But this again even forgot his own strength, that the righteous might be nourished.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:24
For the creature that serves You, who are the Maker, increases his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment, and abates his strength for the benefit of such who put their trust in You.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:25
Therefore, even then, it was altered into all fashions, and was obedient to Your grace, that nourishes all things, according to the desire of those who had need:
Wisdom of Solomon 16:26
That Your children, O Lord, whom You love, might know, that it is not the growing of fruits that nourishes man; but that it is Your word, which preserves those who put their trust in You.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:27
For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, soon melted away:
Wisdom of Solomon 16:28
That it might be known, that we must prevent the sun to give You thanks, and at the dayspring, pray to You.
Wisdom of Solomon 16:29
For the hope of the unthankful will melt away as the winter's hoar frost, and will run away as unprofitable water.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:1
For great are Your judgments, and cannot be expressed; therefore unnurtured souls have erred.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:2
For when unrighteous men thought to oppress the holy nation; they, being shut up in their houses, the prisoners of darkness, and fettered with the bonds of a long night, lay there exiled from the eternal providence.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:3
For while they supposed to lie hidden in their secret sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being horribly astonished, and troubled with strange apparitions.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:4
For neither might the corner that held them keep them from fear; but noises as of waters falling down sounded about them, and sad visions appeared to those with heavy countenances.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:5
No power of the fire might give them light; neither could the bright flames of the stars endure to lighten that horrible night.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:6
Only there appeared to them a fire kindled of itself, very dreadful; for being much terrified, they thought the things which they saw to be worse than the sight they did not see.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:7
As for the illusions of art magic, they were put down, and their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:8
For they, who promised to drive away terrors and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of fear, worthy to be laughed at.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:9
For though no terrible thing feared them; yet being scared with beasts that passed by, and hissing of serpents,
Wisdom of Solomon 17:10
They died for fear, denying that they saw the air, which could of no side be avoided.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:11
For wickedness, condemned by her own witness, is very timorous, and being pressed with conscience, always forecasts grievous things.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:12
For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offers.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:13
And the expectation from within, being less, counts the ignorance more than the cause which brings the torment.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:14
But they, sleeping the same sleep that night, which was indeed intolerable, and which came upon them out of the bottoms of inevitable Hell,
Wisdom of Solomon 17:15
Were partly vexed with monstrous apparitions, and partly fainted, their heart failing them; for a sudden fear, and not looked for, came upon them.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:16
So then whoever there fell down was straitly kept, shut up in a prison without iron bars,
Wisdom of Solomon 17:17
For whether he were a husbandman, or shepherd, or a laborer in the field, he was overtaken, and endured that necessity, which could not be avoided; for they were all bound with one chain of darkness.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:18
Whether it were a whistling wind, or a melodious noise of birds among the spreading branches, or a pleasing fall of water running violently,
Wisdom of Solomon 17:19
Or a terrible sound of stones cast down, or a running that could not be seen of skipping beasts, or a roaring voice of most savage wild beasts, or a rebounding echo from the hollow mountains; these things made them to swoon for fear.
Wisdom of Solomon 17:20
For the whole world shined with clear light, and none were hindered in their labor:
Wisdom of Solomon 17:21
Only a heavy night was spread over them, an image of that darkness which should afterward receive them; but yet they were to themselves more grievous than the darkness.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:1
Nevertheless, Your saints had a very great light, whose voice, they, hearing and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered the same things, they counted themselves happy.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:2
But for that, they did not hurt them now, of whom they had been wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon, for they had been enemies.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:3
Instead whereof You gave them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and a harmless sun to entertain them honorably.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:4
For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept Your sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given to the world.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:5
And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, You took away the multitude of their children, and destroyed them altogether in a mighty water.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:6
Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly knowing to what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:7
So of Your people, was accepted, both the salvation of the righteous, and destruction of the enemies.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:8
For wherewith You punished our adversaries, by the same You glorified us, whom You had called.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:9
For the righteous children of good men sacrificed secretly, and with one consent, made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:10
But on the other side, there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children who were bewailed.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:11
The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and as the king, so the common person suffered.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:12
So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death; neither were the living sufficient to bury them; for in one moment, the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:13
For whereas they would not believe anything by reason of the enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:14
For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course,
Wisdom of Solomon 18:15
Your almighty word leaped down from heaven out of Your Royal Throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction,
Wisdom of Solomon 18:16
And brought Your unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up, filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:17
Then suddenly, visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:18
And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, showed the cause of his death.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:19
For the dreams that troubled them foreshowed this, unless they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:20
Indeed, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness; but the wrath did not endure long.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:21
For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was Your servant.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:22
So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word, subdued Him who punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:23
For when the dead had now fallen down by heaps, one upon another, standing between, He stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:24
For the whole world was in the long garment, and the glory of the fathers was graven in the four rows of the stones, and Your Majesty upon the daidem of his head.
Wisdom of Solomon 18:25
The destroyer gave place to these, and was afraid of them; for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:1
As for the ungodly, wrath came upon them without mercy to the end; for He knew before what they would do;
Wisdom of Solomon 19:2
How that having given them leave to depart, and sent them away hastily, they would repent and pursue them.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:3
For while they were still mourning and making lamentation at the graves of the dead, they added another foolish device, and pursued them as fugitives, whom they had entreated to be gone.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:4
For the destiny, whereof they were worthy, drew them to this end, and made them forget the things that had already happened, that they might fulfill the punishment which was wanting to their torments:
Wisdom of Solomon 19:5
And that Your people might pass a wonderful way; but they might find a strange death.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:6
For the whole creature in his proper kind was fashioned again anew, serving the peculiar commandments that were given to them, that Your children might be kept without hurt:
Wisdom of Solomon 19:7
As namely, a cloud shadowing the camp; and where water stood before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red Sea, a way without impediment; and out of the violent stream, a green field:
Wisdom of Solomon 19:8
Wherethrough all the people went who were defended with Your hand, seeing Your marvelous, strange wonders.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:9
For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising You, O Lord, who had delivered them.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:10
For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while they sojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fish.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:11
But afterwards, they saw a new generation of fowls, when, being led with their appetite, they asked delicate meats.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:12
For quails came up to them from the sea for their contentment.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:13
And punishments came upon the sinners, not without former signs by the force of thunders; for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness, insomuch as they used a more hard and hateful behavior toward strangers.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:14
For the Sodomites did not receive those, whom they did not know when they came; but these brought friends into bondage, who had well deserved of them.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:15
And not only so, but peradventure, some respect will be had of those, because they used strangers not friendly:
Wisdom of Solomon 19:16
But these afflicted them very grievously, whom they had received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the same laws with them.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:17
Therefore, these were stricken even with blindness, *54:37 as those were at the doors of the righteous man; when, being compassed about with horrible, great darkness, everyone sought the passage of his own doors.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:18
For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony, as in a psaltery, notes change the name of the tune, and yet are always sounds; which may be well perceived by the sight of the things that have been done.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:19
For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things, that swam in the water before, now went upon the ground.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:20
The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue; and the water forgot his own quenching nature.
Wisdom of Solomon 19:21
On the other side, the flames did not waste the flesh of the corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither did they melt the icy kind of heavenly meat that was, of nature, apt to melt.