Wisdom of Solomon 10

1She guarded the first-formed father of the world, when he alone had been created, and she delivered him from his own transgression,

2and gave him strength to rule over all things.

3But an unrighteous man, having departed from her, perished in his brother-murdering rage.

4Because of him, when the earth was being flooded, wisdom again saved it, steering the righteous man by means of a humble piece of wood.

5She also, when the nations were thrown into confusion in their wicked conspiracy, found the righteous man and kept him blameless before God, and kept him strong against his compassion for his child.

6She rescued a righteous man when the ungodly were perishing, as he fled the fire descending on the Five Cities.

7whose wickedness still has as its witness a smoking wasteland, plants bearing fruit that never ripens, and a pillar of salt standing as a memorial of an unbelieving soul.

8For by passing wisdom by, they were harmed not only by not knowing what is good, but they also left behind for life a memorial of their folly, so that in the things in which they went astray they might not even be able to escape notice.

9But wisdom rescued those who served her from hardships.

10She guided the righteous man, a fugitive from his brother’s anger, in straight paths; she showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things; she prospered him in his labors, and increased the fruits of his toil.

11When others overpowered him in greed, she stood by him and made him rich.

12She protected him from enemies, and from those lying in ambush she kept him safe; and she awarded him a strong contest, so that he might know that godliness is stronger than everything.

13She did not abandon the righteous man when he was sold, but rescued him from sin;

14She went down with him into the pit, and in chains she did not abandon him, until she brought him the scepter of a kingdom and authority over those who had ruled him; she showed those who had slandered him to be false, and gave him everlasting glory.

15She rescued a holy people and a blameless offspring from a nation of oppressors.

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

17He gave the holy ones the reward of their labors, guided them in a marvelous way, and became for them a shelter by day and a flame of stars by night.

18He brought them across the Red Sea, and led them through abundant water;

19But he flooded their enemies, and from the depth of the abyss he cast them up.

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

21For wisdom opened the mouths of the mute, and made the tongues of infants eloquent.