The Wisdom of Solomon
Chapter 18
1. As Your servants shine bright
their voices will be heard
even without being seen
they don’t suffer those things
because they are satisfied within.
2. As for those who didn’t hurt them
those who had been wronged earlier
extend their gratitude to them
and seek their forgiveness
even though they had been enemies.
3. Rather You gave them a burning pillar
as both a guide for an uncertain journey
and a harmless sun
to entertain their honor
4. They wanted to be deprived of light
and imprisoned by darkness
after incarcerating Your servants
from whom came the light
of uncorrupted justice
given unto the world.
5. When they decided to murder
the babes of the saints
a child was delivered
in order to rebuke them
thus many of their children were taken
and ruined in a mighty flood.
6. That night our ancestors were justified
for accepting those promises
on which they put their trust
giving them a sustained relief.
7. Acceptance among Your people
included salvation for the righteous
and the destruction of their enemies.
2. Because You rebuked those against us
You also glorified those of us
whom You had called upon.
9. For the righteous followers
of the just people
secretly sacrificed themselves
and made a holy promise
to join together with the saints
through goodness and wickedness
which the ancients now sing about
with their songs of praise.
10. But ill will arose from others
who cried out their opposition
with tears of lamentation
traveling through the land
for the followers who spoke out.
11. Both master and servant
suffered those consequences
and kings and common people
suffered alike.
12. They all died together
countless passed away at once
and none were alive enough
to bury the dead
for within one moment
even the noblest descendents
among them were annihilated.
13. For they just would not believe
until the miracles appeared
and after destruction of the firstborn
they did acknowledge these people
were the followers of God.
14. Everywhere there is silence
and the night covered everything.
15. But the word of the Almighty
descended from the spiritual realm
from Your exalted sanctuary
like a fierce warrior
within a place of destruction.
16. You delivered Your pure wisdom
like a sharp sword
that stood up against death
by touching the spiritual realm
while standing upon the earth.
17. Suddenly visions of horrible dreams
troubled them deeply
and the terrors shocked them.
18. Yet the half dead were thrown here
and some were thrown there
illustrating the nature of their death.
19. And their troubling dreams
indeed did predict this
and they perished without knowing
what caused their afflictions.
20. Yes the taste of death
does also touch the righteous
while others faced destruction
within the wilderness
yet the wrath did not endure.
21. For the innocents reacted fast
and stood up to defend them
bringing the shield of His ministry
with prayers and offerings
prepared themselves for the challenges
in order to end the destruction
declaring they were Your servants.
22. Thus they overcame the destroyer
not with strength of the body
nor by the force of weapons
but with a word subdued the punishers
by proclaiming the promises
and agreements made with the ancestors.
23. When the dead fell around them
piled up one upon another in great piles
He resisted the destruction
and parted the way to the living.
24. That area contained the universe
and the four rows of its stones
were engraved with their glory
and the crowns on their heads
contained Your Majesty.
25. The opposers gave way to them
and were afraid of them
because they had enough
of the taste of their strength.
