Wisdom 10

₁Wisdom protected the father of the world, the first man that was ever formed, when he alone had been created. She saved him from his own sinful act ₂and gave him the strength to master everything on earth.

₃But there was an unrighteous man who abandoned Wisdom; he destroyed himself by killing his brother in a fit of anger.

₄Because of that sin, the earth was flooded, but Wisdom saved it again. She guided a righteous man in his flimsy wooden boat.

₅Once when the nations were frustrated in their wicked plans, Wisdom recognized a righteous man and kept him innocent in God's sight. She gave him strength to obey God's command in spite of his love for his son.

₆Wisdom rescued a righteous man while ungodly people were dying. He escaped the flames that destroyed the Five Cities. ₇You can still see the evidence of their wickedness. The land there is barren and smoking. The plants bear fruit that never ripens, and a pillar of salt stands as a monument to one who did not believe. ₈The people of those cities ignored Wisdom and could not tell right from wrong. Not only that, but the remains of their cities still remind us of the foolish way they lived, so that their failure can never be forgotten. ₉But Wisdom rescued her servants from the danger.

₁₀A righteous man once had to escape from his brother's anger, and Wisdom guided him in the right way. She showed him God's kingdom and allowed him to know about holy things. She made him prosperous and successful in his work. ₁₁When others were greedy for what he had, and wanted to take it away from him, Wisdom stood by him and made him rich. ₁₂She protected him from his enemies who were waiting for a chance to attack him. She gave him victory in a hard fight, so that he might realize that nothing can make a person stronger than serving God.

₁₃There was once a righteous man who was sold into slavery, but Wisdom did not abandon him. She kept him safe from sin. She went to prison with him ₁₄and never left him until she had given him power over an empire and made him the ruler of people who had once oppressed him. She let it be known that a false accusation had been made against him, and she gave him eternal honour.

₁₅Wisdom once rescued an innocent and holy people from a nation of oppressors. ₁₆She entered the soul of one of God's servants and stood up to dreaded kings by performing miracles. ₁₇She rewarded God's people for their hardships. She guided them on a miraculous journey. She gave them shade during the day and brilliant starlight at night. ₁₈She led them through the deep waters of the Red Sea, ₁₉but she drowned their enemies and washed their bodies up on the shore. ₂₀And so the righteous looted the ungodly. They sang hymns to your holy name, O Lord; together they praised you for defending them. ₂₁Wisdom gave speech to those who could not speak; she even caused babies to speak clearly.