The Wisdom of Solomon
Chapter 17
1. Your decisions are perfect
beyond all comprehension
thus uneducated souls are mistaken.
2. Because wicked people
seek to oppress holy people
they become trapped in their houses
becoming prisoners of darkness
captive for a long night of bondage
and banished from their eternal destination.
3. While they assumed a lie
hiding within wicked secrecy
they became scattered
within the dark veil of forgetfulness
being horribly astonished
troubled by strange apparitions.
4. While none of the corners
that kept them from their fears
like the noise of waters falling
down all around them
and sad visions appeared
to them with heavy features.
5. The force of fire gave them no light
nor could the brightness of the stars
last to give light to that horrible night.
6. Just the dreadful appearance
of a fire started on its own
which was terrifying
did they think those things they saw
were worse than not seeing.
2. With the illusions of the dark arts
they were smothered out
and the wisdom they flaunted
was rebuked in disgrace.
8. For those who promised
to drive away the fears
and the anxiety of a sick soul
were beside themselves with fear
and worthy of ridicule.
9. Though no beast feared them
they were scared by passing animals
and the hissing of snakes.
10. Their fear left them lifeless
disregarding their visions in the sky
which provided no ability to ignore.
11. Thus wickedness was condemned
by her own frightened witness
being pressured by conscience
and predicting future disasters.
12. For fear is nothing else
but an abandonment of comfort
that is offered by reason.
13. And the humble hope from within
counts ignorance more than cause
which brings about the torment.
14. But they slept the same that night
but it was certainly intolerable
arriving from the depths of darkness.
15. Being disturbed by horrific apparitions
and fainting with failing hearts
as an unseen and unexpected fear
at once arose within them.
16. Thus when they fell
they fell straight down
and were locked in a prison
that had no iron bars.
17. Whether husbandman or shepherd
or laborer out in the field
all were caught off guard
and sustained the necessity
that could not be avoided
because they were all bound
on one chain of darkness.
18. Whether from a whistling wind
or a melodious noise of birds
spreading along the branches
or the fall of water
rushing down wildly.
19. Or the dreadful sound
of stones falling down
or a running unseen by trotting animals
or the roar of savage wild beasts
or the resounding echo off mountain valleys
these made them swoon with fear.
20. For the entire world glowed
in the clearest of light
with none hindered by their work.
21. Over them the dark night spread
with the image of darkness
that would receive them afterwards
being more heinous than darkness.
