The Wisdom of Solomon
Chapter 5
1. The devoted will stand steadfast
against those who afflict them
and continue their work.
2. Those who understand this
will be amazed and awestruck
with their startling revelations.
3. They will apologize
and ask for mercy
praying for the release
of their spirit
even from those
who received criticism
and were derided
in a lesson of condemnation.
4. The fools value this world’s madness
leaving an end without honor.
5. But just see how
the children of God
are considered worthy
just like the saints.
6. Those of us who have strayed
from the path of truth
will not have the light of justice
shining unto us
as the sun of knowledge
has not risen upon us.
7. We are worn by iniquity and destruction
after traveling our hardened paths
not knowing the way of the Almighty.
8. What is gained through pride?
What benefits have come
from the esteem of our wealth?
9. All those things pass away
like a branch that floats by.
10. Just as a ship passes
through the waves
when it has gone
no trace can be found
nor the path of its keel
seen through the waters.
11. Like a bird flying through the air
its passage leaves no mark found.
Only the sound of its wings
beating the light air
parting it by the flutter of her flight
she moves her wings
and flies on by
leaving no mark after her path.
12. Just as an arrow is shot at a mark
the divided air immediately comes together
again
leaving the passage unknown.
13. Just as when we are born
immediately it is ended
and we are unable to show
any trace of virtue
being consumed by desire.
14. The wicked say these things
when they are in the material world.
15. But the desires of wickedness
are blown like dust in the wind.
Like a thin feather
drifting from a storm
like smoke scattered by wind
just as the memory of a foreigner
quickly passes by.
16. But the devoted live forever
their reward is with God
and their concerns
are with the Almighty.
17. Thus they receive
a glorious sanctuary
and a beautiful wreath
by the hand of the Almighty.
For with His right hand
He will shelter them
and with His holy arm
He will protect them.
18. And His pleasure
will become their armor
as He will arm the devoted
to
fight off their enemies.
19. He will put on justice
like a breastplate
and wears pure judgment
instead of a helmet.
20. He will take charge
with
an invincible shield:
20. And He will sharpen
his anger into a spear
and the whole world
shall fight with Him
against
the unwise.
22. Then bolts of lightning
will descend from the clouds
like a bow that is taut
they shall be shot out
and
will fly to the mark.
23. And thick hail will fall
on them from the stone
that casts with anger
the waters of the sea
which rage against them
and the rivers will run
a terrible course.
24. A mighty wind
will whip up against them
like a whirlwind
it will divide them
and their iniquity
shall turn earth into a desert
and wickedness shall overthrow
the thrones of the mighty.
