The Wisdom of Solomon 5+6: Wis.5 [1] Then the righteous man will stand with great confidencein the presence of those who have afflicted him,and those who make light of his labors.[2] When they see him, they will be shaken with dreadful fear,and they will be amazed at his unexpected salvation.[3] They will speak to one another in repentance,and in anguish of spirit they will groan, and say,[4] This is the man whom we once held in derisionand made a byword of reproach -- we fools!We thought that his life was madnessand that his end was without honor.[5] Why has he been numbered among the sons of God?And why is his lot among the saints?[6] So it was we who strayed from the way of truth,and the light of righteousness did not shine on us,and the sun did not rise upon us.[7] We took our fill of the paths of lawlessness and destruction,and we journeyed through trackless deserts,but the way of the Lord we have not known.[8] What has our arrogance profited us?And what good has our boasted wealth brought us?[9] All those things have vanished like a shadow,and like a rumor that passes by;[10] like a ship that sails through the billowy water,and when it has passed no trace can be found,nor track of its keel in the waves;[11] or as, when a bird flies through the air,no evidence of its passage is found;the light air, lashed by the beat of its pinionsand pierced by the force of its rushing flight,is traversed by the movement of its wings,and afterward no sign of its coming is found there;[12] or as, when an arrow is shot at a target,the air, thus divided, comes together at once,so that no one knows its pathway.[13] So we also, as soon as we were born, ceased to be,and we had no sign of virtue to show,but were consumed in our wickedness.[14] Because the hope of the ungodly man is likechaff carried by the wind,and like a light hoarfrost driven away by a storm;it is dispersed like smoke before the wind,and it passes like the remembrance of a guestwho stays but a day.[15] But the righteous live for ever,and their reward is with the Lord;the Most High takes care of them.[16] Therefore they will receive a glorious crownand a beautiful diadem from the hand of the Lord,because with his right hand he will cover them,and with his arm he will shield them.[17] The Lord will take his zeal as his whole armor,and will arm all creation to repel his enemies;[18] he will put on righteousness as a breastplate,and wear impartial justice as a helmet;[19] he will take holiness as an invincible shield,[20] and sharpen stern wrath for a sword,and creation will join with him to fight against the madmen.[21] Shafts of lightning will fly with true aim,and will leap to the target as from a well-drawn bow of clouds,[22] and hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult;the water of the sea will rage against them,and rivers will relentlessly overwhelm them;[23] a mighty wind will rise against them ,and like a tempest it will winnow them away.Lawlessness will lay waste the whole earth,and evil-doing will overturn the thrones of rulers. Wis.6 [1] Listen therefore, O kings, and understand;learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.[2] Give ear, you that rule over multitudes,and boast of many nations.[3] For your dominion was given you from the Lord,and your sovereignty from the Most High,who will search out your works and inquire into your plans.[4] Because as servants of his kingdom you did not rule rightly,nor keep the law,nor walk according to the purpose of God,[5] he will come upon you terribly and swiftly,because severe judgment falls on those in high places.[6] For the lowliest man may be pardoned in mercy,but mighty men will be mightily tested.[7] For the Lord of all will not stand in awe of any one,nor show deference to greatness;because he himself made both small and great,and he takes thought for all alike.[8] But a strict inquiry is in store for the mighty.[9] To you then, O monarchs, my words are directed,that you may learn wisdom and not transgress.[10] For they will be made holy who observe holy things in holiness,and those who have been taught them will find a defense.[11] Therefore set your desire on my words;long for them, and you will be instructed.[12] Wisdom is radiant and unfading,and she is easily discerned by those who love her,and is found by those who seek her.[13] She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her.[14] He who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty,for he will find her sitting at his gates.[15] To fix ones thought on her is perfect understanding,and he who is vigilant on her account willsoon be free from care,[16] because she goes about seeking those worthy of her,and she graciously appears to them in their paths,and meets them in every thought.[17] The beginning of wisdom is the most sinceredesire for instruction,and concern for instruction is love of her,[18] and love of her is the keeping of her laws,and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality,[19] and immortality brings one near to God;[20] so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom.[21] Therefore if you delight in thrones and scepters,O monarchs over the peoples,honor wisdom, that you may reign for ever.[22] I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be,and I will hide no secrets from you,but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation,and make knowledge of her clear,and I will not pass by the truth;[23] neither will I travel in the company of sickly envy,for envy does not associate with wisdom.[24] A multitude of wise men is the salvation of the world,and a sensible king is the stability of his people.[25] Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:14:18 +0000
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