Wisdom 12
12
Wisdom of Solomon 12
1 #
Num 16.22; Wis 1.7 For your immortal spirit is in all things.
2 #
v 10
; Wis 6.9; 11.16Therefore you correct little by little those who trespass,
and you remind and warn them of the things through which they sin,
so that they may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in you, O Lord.
The Sins of the Canaanites
3Those who lived long ago in your holy land
4 #
Deut 18.10–12; Gal 5.20; Rev 9.21; 18.23 you hated for their detestable practices,
their works of sorcery and unholy rites,
5 #
Lev 18.21; Wis 14.23 their merciless slaughter#12.5 Gk slaughterers of children,
and their sacrificial feasting on human flesh and blood.
These initiates from the midst of a bloody revelry,#12.5 Meaning of Gk uncertain
6 #
Lev 18.21; Wis 14.23 these parents who murder helpless lives,
you willed to destroy by the hands of our ancestors,
7 #
Deut 11.12
so that the land most precious of all to you
might receive a worthy colony of the children of God.
8 #
Ex 23.30; Deut 7.22; Josh 24.12 But even these you spared, since they were but mortals,
and sent wasps#12.8 Or hornets as forerunners of your army
to destroy them little by little,
9 #
Wis 11.17
though you were not unable to give the ungodly into the hands of the righteous in battle
or to destroy them at one blow by dread wild animals or your stern word.
10 #
Ex 23.30; Deut 7.22; Wis 3.12 But judging them little by little you gave them an opportunity to repent,
though you were not unaware that their origin#12.10 Or nature was evil
and their wickedness inborn
and that their way of thinking would never change.
11 #
Gn 9.25
For their offspring were accursed from the beginning,
and it was not through fear of anyone that you left them unpunished for their sins.
God Is Sovereign
12 #
Job 36.23; Rom 8.33; 9.20 For who will say, “What have you done?”
or will resist your judgment?
Who will accuse you for the destruction of nations that you made?
Or who will come before you to plead as an advocate for the unrighteous?
13 #
Deut 32.39; Wis 6.7; 1 Pet 5.7 For neither is there any god besides you whose care is for all people,#12.13 Or all things
to whom you should prove that you have not judged unjustly,
14nor can any king or monarch confront you about those whom you have punished.
15 #
Gn 18.25; Job 10.2, 3 You are righteous, and you rule all things righteously,
deeming it alien to your power
to condemn anyone who does not deserve to be punished.
16 #
Wis 11.23, 26 For your strength is the source of righteousness,
and your sovereignty over all causes you to spare all.
17 #
Ex 5.2; 2 Kings 18.35 For you show your strength when people doubt the completeness of your power,
and you rebuke any insolence among those who know it.#12.17 Meaning of Gk uncertain
18 #
Ps 135.6; Wis 2.19; 11.26 Although you are sovereign in strength, you judge fairly,
and with great forbearance you govern us,
for you have power to act whenever you choose.
God’s Lessons for Israel
19 #
Lk 6.35, 36 Through such works you have taught your people
that the righteous must be kind,
and you have filled your children with good hope,
because you give repentance for sins.
20 #
Rom 9.22–24
For if you punished with such great care and indulgence#12.20 Other ancient authorities lack and indulgence; others read and entreaty
the enemies of your children and those deserving of death,
granting them time and opportunity to give up their wickedness,
21 #
Deut 7.8, 13, 17; Rom 9.4, 5 with what strictness you have judged your children,#12.21 Gk sons
to whose ancestors you gave oaths and covenants full of good promises!
22 #
Mt 5.7; 7.2 So while chastening us you scourge our enemies ten thousand times more,
so that when we judge we may meditate upon your goodness,
and when we are judged we may expect mercy.
The Punishment of the Egyptians
23 #
1 Kings 11.5, 7; 2 Kings 23.13; Wis 11.15, 16 Therefore those who lived unrighteously, in a life of folly,
you tormented through their own abominations.
24 #
Wis 11.15, 16; 16.1; Rom 1.22, 23 For they went far astray on the paths of error,
accepting as gods those animals that even their enemies#12.24 Gk they despised;
they were deceived like foolish infants.
25Therefore, as though to children who cannot reason,
you sent your judgment to mock them.
26But those who have not heeded the warning of mild rebukes
will experience the deserved judgment of God.
27 #
v 23
; Ex 5.2; 9.27; 10.16; Wis 16.1, 16For when in their suffering they became incensed
at those creatures that they had thought to be gods, being punished by means of them,
they saw and recognized as the true God the one whom they had before refused to know.
Therefore the utmost condemnation came upon them.
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New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.