Wisdom
Chapter 10
Wisdom Saved the Righteous
Wisdom protected the father of the world, the first man to be formed, who was created alone.
She delivered him from his fault and gave him the power to govern all things.
When a violent man, turning in anger, strayed from Wisdom, he perished in his fratricidal fury.
Because of the violent man, the flood submerged the earth, but Wisdom again saved it by piloting an upright man on a frail piece of wood.
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.
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.
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.
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.
But Wisdom rescued her servants from their trials.
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.
Wisdom stood by him against the greed of oppressors and made him rich.
She protected him from his enemies and saved him from the traps they set for him; with Wisdom triumphed in an arduous struggle, learning in this way that nothing is as strong as piety.
She did not abandon the righteous man when he was sold; still more, she kept him free from sin.
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 those who falsely accused him as liars and bestowed everlasting honor on him.
It was she who rescued an innocent and holy people from a nation of oppressors.
She entered the soul of God’s servant and, through him, withstood terrible kings with signs and wonders.
To the holy people, she gave the wages of their labor, wonderfully leading them, giving them shade during the day and the light of the stars at night.
She brought them across the Red Sea, but drowned their enemies
and later washed them ashore from the depths of the abyss.
So the righteous looted the godless, singing hymns, Lord, to your holy name, and one in heart, they gave thanks for your saving hand.
Wisdom gives speech to the dumb and makes infants speak clearly.
Commentaries
Final Judgment.
The wise man and the fool are the two extremes in this first section. The former acknowledges himself as part of God’s plan; the latter, on the other hand, relies solely on his own strength. According to the book of Wisdom, God’s judgment will come relentlessly upon the wicked as punishment. Two thousand years later, this message still holds relevance: those who know God understand they are in his hands, part of his plan, established long ago.
Wisdom Saved the Righteous.
This section begins a series of illustrations about Israel’s history through the lens of wisdom. It is a sacred story enriched with imaginary details and popular traditions to demonstrate how wisdom—here acting as a divine force—has saved or punished people throughout history. A few details are noteworthy: for instance, Israel’s unfaithfulness is ignored; the phrase “kingdom of God” (10), the only time it appears in the entire Old Testament, seems to refer to the heavens; and the term “wicked” now applies not to Jewish traitors, but to non-Jewish nations. The history of Israel recounted in this chapter encourages believers to view their own history from God’s perspective: both positive and negative events show that He is the one guiding it.