
SEEK LIFE; KNOW GOD{/}
{1}1{/}

{I}1_{/}Love justice, you 
who rule  over the world. 
Think rightly of God, 
seek him with simplicity 
of heart, {I}2_{/}for he 
reveals himself to those 
who do not challenge him 
and is found by those who 
do not distrust him.
{I}3_{/}Crooked thinking 
distances you from God, 
and his Omnipotence, put 
to{I}_{/}the test, 
confounds the foolish.
{I}4_{/}Wisdom does not 
enter the wicked nor 
remain in a body that is 
enslaved to sin. 
{I}5_{/}The Holy Spirit 
who instructs us shuns 
deceit; it keeps aloof 
from foolishness and is 
ill at ease when 
injustice is done.
{I}6_{/}Wisdom is a 
spirit, a friend to man, 
and will not leave the 
blasphemous unpunished, 
because God knows his 
innermost feelings, truly 
sees his thoughts and 
hears what he says.
{I}7_{/}For God's spirit 
has filled the whole 
world and he who holds 
together all things, 
knows each word that is 
spoken. {I}8_{/}So 
whoever speaks unjustly 
will not escape; the 
irrefutable sentence will 
reach him. {I}9_{/}The 
intentions of the unholy 
will be examined; what he 
has said will reach the 
Lord and his wickedness 
will be confounded.
{I}10_{/}Remember that a 
jealous ear hears 
everything; even whispers 
are recorded.
{I}11_{/}Beware then, of 
empty complaints and keep 
your tongue from 
faultfinding, since your 
most secret word will 
have consequences; a 
lying tongue brings death 
to the soul. {I}12_{/}Do 
not bring about your own 
death by your wrong way 
of living. And do not let 
the work of{I}_{/}your 
hands destroy you.
{I}13_{/}God did not make 
death, nor does he 
rejoice in the 
destruction of the 
living. {I}14_{/}Since he 
has created everything, 
all creatures of the 
universe are for our 
good; there is no deadly 
poison in them and the 
netherworld has no 
dominion over the earth, 
{I}15_{/}because justice 
is not submitted to 
death.
THE GODLESS SAY THERE IS 
NO OTHER LIFE{/}

{I}16_{/}It is the 
godless that consider 
death a friend and call 
for it in every way. They 
have made a pact with it 
and they shall justly 
belong to it.
{1}2{/}

{I}1_{/}Led by mistaken 
reasons  they think, 
"Life is short and sad 
and there is no cure for 
death. It was never heard 
that anyone came back 
from the netherworld.
{I}2_{/}By chance we were 
born; when life is over, 
it will be as if we never 
existed. The breath in 
our nostrils is like a 
puff of smoke, and 
thought is no more than a 
spark resulting from the 
movement of the heart. 
{I}3_{/}Put this out and 
the body turns to ashes, 
the spirit melts away 
like idle air.
{I}4_{/}In time our name 
will be forgotten, no one 
will remember what we 
did. {I}5_{/}Life passes 
like the shadow of a 
cloud, disappears like 
mist chased by the sun 
and overpowered by its 
heat. Our days are like 
the passing of a shadow; 
from death there is no 
turning back, the seal is 
set: no one returns.
{I}6_{/}Come then and 
enjoy all the good 
things; let us use 
creation with the zest of 
youth, {I}7_{/}making the 
most of choicest wines 
and perfumes and not 
passing by any flower of 
spring. {I}8_{/}Let us 
crown ourselves with 
rosebuds before they 
fade.
{I}9_{/}Let everyone take 
part in our orgy; let us 
post everywhere the signs 
of our joy, for that is 
our due, the lot assigned 
to us.
{I}10_{/}Let us oppress 
the upright man who is 
poor, and have no thought 
for the widow, or respect 
for the white hair of old 
age.
{I}11_{/}Let our strength 
be our right, since it is 
proved that weakness is 
useless. {I}12_{/}Let us 
set a trap for the 
righteous, for he annoys 
us and opposes our way of 
life; he reproaches us 
for our breaches of the 
Law and accuses us of 
being false to our 
upbringing.
{I}13_{/}He claims 
knowledge of God and 
calls himself son of the 
Lord. {I}14_{/}He has 
become a reproach to our 
way of thinking; even to 
meet him is burdensome to 
us. {I}15_{/}He does not 
live like others and 
behaves strangely.
{I}16_{/}According to him 
we have low standards, so 
he keeps aloof from us as 
if we were unclean. He 
emphasizes the happy end 
of the righteous and 
boasts of having God as 
father.
{I}17_{/}Let us see the 
truth of what he says and 
find out what his end 
will be. {I}18_{/}If the 
righteous is a son of 
God, God will defend him 
and deliver him from his 
adversaries.
{I}19_{/}Let us humble 
and torture him to prove 
his self-control and test 
his patience. 
{I}20_{/}When we have 
condemned him to a 
shameful death, we may 
test his words."
{I}21_{/}This is the way 
they reason, but they are 
mistaken, blinded by 
their malice. 
{I}22_{/}They do not know 
the mysteries of God nor 
do they hope for the 
reward of a holy life; 
they do not believe that 
the blameless will be 
recompensed.
{I}23_{/}Indeed God 
created man to be 
immortal in the likeness 
of his own nature, 
{I}24_{/}but the envy of 
the devil brought death 
to the world, and those 
who take his side shall 
experience death.
THE JUST WILL LIVE WITH 
GOD{/}

{1}3{/}

{I}1_{/}The souls of the 
just are in  the hands of 
God and no torment shall 
touch them.
{I}2_{/}In the eyes of 
the unwise they appear to 
be dead. Their going is 
held as a disaster; 
{I}3_{/}it seems that 
they lose everything by 
departing from us, but 
they are in peace.
{I}4_{/}Though seemingly 
they have been punished, 
immortality was the soul 
of their hope. 
{I}5_{/}After slight 
affliction will come 
great blessings, for God 
has tried them and found 
them worthy to be with 
him; {I}6_{/}after 
testing them as gold in 
the furnace, he has 
accepted them as a 
holocaust.
{I}7_{/}At the time of 
his coming they will 
shine like sparks that 
run in the stubble. 
{I}8_{/}They will govern 
nations and rule over 
peoples, and the Lord 
will be their king 
forever.
{I}9_{/}Those who trust 
in him will penetrate the 
truth, those who are 
faithful will live with 
him in love, for his 
grace and mercy are for 
his chosen ones.
{I}10_{/}But the godless 
who have ignored the 
upright and deserted the 
Lord, will meet the 
punishment their evil 
thoughts deserve.
{I}11_{/}Unhappy are 
those who put no value on 
wisdom and instruction, 
their hope is vain, their 
efforts useless, their 
work without profit; 
{I}12_{/}their wives are 
foolish, their children 
evil, their posterity 
cursed.
A TRULY FRUITFUL LIFE{/}

{I}13_{/}Happy the 
childless wife if she is 
blameless and has not 
been guilty of adultery; 
she will be found 
fruitful on the day of 
judgment.
{I}14_{/}And happy the 
impotent man who has done 
no evil or harbored 
resentful thoughts 
against the Lord. His 
fidelity will be richly 
rewarded with a special 
place in the Lord's 
heavenly sanctuary.
{I}15_{/}The toil of the 
righteous bears choice 
fruit; and wise 
discernment is a tree 
that does not wither.
{I}16_{/}But the children 
born of adultery die 
young and the offspring 
of an unlawful union 
disappear.
{I}17_{/}If they live 
long, they count for 
nothing and are finally 
despised in their old 
age. {I}18_{/}If they die 
young, it is without 
hope, and they cannot 
comfort themselves with 
thinking of the Judgment.
{I}19_{/}Cruel is the 
fate of an evil race.
{1}4{/}

{I}1_{/}Better to have no 
children and to  be 
virtuous. People like 
this are highly 
considered by God and 
men. The memory of their 
life will never end.
{I}2_{/}When virtue is 
present we imitate it; 
when it is absent we long 
for it; it is crowned in 
eternity for having 
triumphed in the 
blameless struggle.
{I}3_{/}The numerous 
progeny of the wicked 
will be of no use. 
Offspring of doubtful 
plants, they will not 
have deep roots or lay 
solid foundations. 
{I}4_{/}For a time they 
may produce, but their 
weak branches shaken by 
the wind will be uprooted 
by the storm. 
{I}5_{/}Their twigs will 
be broken off before 
grown, their fruit 
useless, unripe for 
eating and good for 
nothing. {I}6_{/}Children 
born of unlawful 
intercourse witness, when 
God examines them, to the 
wrongdoing of their 
parents.
{I}7_{/}The upright, even 
if he dies before his 
time, will be at rest. 
{I}8_{/}Honorable age 
does not depend on length 
of days, nor is the 
number of years a true 
measure of life.
{I}9_{/}A man's gray hair 
is understanding, and a 
spotless life is ripe old 
age.
{I}10_{/}The upright was 
pleasing to God, who 
loved him, and since he 
was living among sinners, 
he was taken up. 
{I}11_{/}God removed him 
lest evil impair his 
understanding and 
treachery seduce his 
soul. {I}12_{/}For the 
fascination of evil 
obscures true values and 
restless desire 
undermines a simple 
heart.
{I}13_{/}Though his life 
soon ended, he traveled 
far. {I}14_{/}Because his 
soul was precious to the 
Lord, he was quickly 
removed from the 
wickedness around him.
{I}15_{/}People saw but 
did not under-stand, and 
it did not occur to them 
that God's grace and 
mercy are with his chosen 
ones, his protection is 
for the holy.
{I}16_{/}The just man who 
dies will condemn the 
wicked man who survives. 
A life fulfilled early in 
youth condemns the 
endless days of the 
wicked.
{I}17_{/}They may see the 
death of the wise, but 
they will not understand 
God's design for him and 
why he has taken him to 
safety. {I}18_{/}They may 
see and sneer at him, but 
the Lord will also laugh 
at them {I}19_{/}when 
they have become a 
useless corpse, a 
loathsome and dead thing 
forever.
The Lord will dash them 
to the ground, voiceless, 
shaking them from their 
foundations; they will 
wither and suffer 
anguish; even their 
memory will fade.
{I}20_{/}They will come 
trembling for the 
reckoning of their sins 
and they will be 
confounded when 
confronted with their 
wickedness.
JUDGMENT ON THE JUST AND 
ON THE GODLESS{/}

{1}5{/}

{I}1_{/}Then the just man 
will stand with 
confidence
facing those who 
oppressed him,
making light of his 
labors.
{I}2_{/}Seeing him they 
will be seized with a 
terrible fear,
amazed to find him 
unexpectedly saved.
Stricken with remorse
and distress, 
{I}3_{/}they will groan 
and say,
{I}4_{/}"He is the one we 
mocked,
the one we reproached, 
fools that we were!
We considered his life 
foolishness,
and his death, the 
supreme humiliation,
{I}5_{/}but see: he is 
counted among the sons of 
God
and is given his lot with 
the holy angels!
{I}6_{/}How far have we 
wandered from the truth!
The light of the upright 
did not enlighten us
nor did its sun rise for 
us.
{I}7_{/}We trod the paths 
of injustice and death,
traveling, more than 
enough,
through trackless 
deserts,
but we were unable to 
know the Lord's ways.
{I}8_{/}What good has our 
pride been?
What profit in the wealth 
we boasted about?
{I}9_{/}All that has 
passed away like a 
shadow,
like a fleeting rumor.
{I}10_{/}Like a ship 
cutting the sea,
leaving no trace of its 
course,
and the mark of its keel 
- not seen in its wake;
{I}11_{/}like a bird 
flying across the sky
leaving no trace of its 
flight;
it beats the light air 
with its pinions,
cleaving a way by the 
force of its wings
but without a sign of its 
passing;
{I}12_{/}or like an arrow 
shot at a target,
with the displaced air 
closing in on itself
and no one knowing what 
way it passed.
{I}13_{/}It is the same 
for us; scarcely born we 
have disappeared.
What sign of virtue are 
we able to show,
spent as we are in our 
own wickedness?"
{I}14_{/}The hope of the 
godless is like chaff 
blown in the wind,
like a light frost melted 
in the storm,
like smoke dispersed by 
the wind;
it fades like the memory 
of a guest of a single 
day.
{I}15_{/}But the upright 
live forever,
their reward is with the 
Lord,
and the Most High has 
them in his care.
{I}16_{/}This is why they 
receive, from the hands 
of the Lord,
a royal crown, a splendid 
diadem.
He will shelter them with 
his hand
and his arm will be their 
shield.
{I}17_{/}God's jealous 
love will display his 
weapon;
he will arm all creation 
to punish his enemies.
{I}18_{/}He will put on 
justice as his 
breastplate
and right judgment as his 
helmet,
{I}19_{/}invincible 
holiness will be his 
shield,
{I}20_{/}implacable anger 
his sword,
and the universe will 
march with him against 
the foolish.
{I}21_{/}Well-aimed bolts 
of lightning will strike 
the target; the clouds 
will be a curved bow 
shooting arrows.
{I}22_{/}The hailstones 
of his fury will rain on 
them, the ocean will rage 
against them and the 
rivers engulf them 
without mercy. {I}23_{/}A 
powerful wind will rise 
against them and blow 
them away like straw. In 
this way lawlessness will 
bring the whole earth to 
ruin, and evildoing 
topple the thrones of the 
mighty.
NO TRUE WISDOM WITHOUT 
RELIGIOUS TRUTH{/}

{1}6{/}

{I}1_{/}Listen, O kings, 
and understand; rulers of 
the most distant lands, 
take warning. {I}2_{/}Pay 
attention, you who rule 
multitudes and boast of 
the numerous subjects in 
your pagan nations.
{I}3_{/}For authority was 
given you by the Lord, 
your kingship is from the 
Most High who will 
examine your works and 
scrutinize your 
intentions.
{I}4_{/}If, as officials 
of his kingdom, you have 
not judged justly or 
observed his law or 
walked the way God 
pointed out, {I}5_{/}he 
will oppose you swiftly 
and terribly; his 
sentence strikes the 
mighty suddenly.
{I}6_{/}For the lowly 
there may be excuses and 
pardon, but the great 
will be severely 
punished.
{I}7_{/}For the Lord of 
all makes no distinction, 
nor does he take account 
of greatness. Both great 
and lowly are his work 
and he watches over all, 
{I}8{/}but the powerful 
are to be judged more 
strictly.
{I}9_{/}It is to you 
then, sovereigns, that I 
speak, that you may learn 
Wisdom and not stumble.
{I}10_{/}For those who 
keep the holy laws in a 
holy way will be 
acknowledged holy, and 
those who accept the 
teaching will find in it 
their defense.
{I}11_{/}Welcome my 
words, desire them and 
they will instruct you.
{I}12_{/}Wisdom is 
luminous and never 
tarnished; she willingly 
lets herself be seen by 
those who love her, and 
known by those who look 
for her. {I}13_{/}She 
hastens to meet those who 
long for her. 
{I}14_{/}Seek her in the 
morning and you will not 
be disappointed; you will 
find her sitting at your 
door.
{I}15_{/}To meditate on 
Wisdom is understanding 
fully grown; whoever is 
on the watch for her will 
be free of anxiety. 
{I}16_{/}She goes in 
search of those who are 
worthy of her, graciously 
meets them on the way and 
is present in their every 
thought.
{I}17_{/}The beginning of 
Wisdom is a sincere 
desire for discipline; 
concern for discipline is 
love of her, {I}18_{/}and 
loving her means keeping 
her laws; {I}19_{/}the 
observance of her laws 
assures one of 
immortality, and 
immortality brings us 
close to God.
{I}20_{/}In this way the 
desire for Wisdom leads 
to kingship.
{I}21_{/}So then, 
sovereigns of nations, 
you who are fond of 
thrones and scepters, 
honor Wisdom if you wish 
to reign forever.
{I}22_{/}What Wisdom is 
and how she came to be, I 
will tell you. I shall 
hide nothing from you, 
but trace her from the 
beginning and clearly 
make her known.
{I}23_{/}I will not 
mislead you and hide the 
truth, for I am free of 
gnawing envy which has 
nothing in common with 
Wisdom.
{I}24_{/}A great number 
of wise men could bring 
about the salvation of 
the world and a sensible 
king makes for the 
stability of his people; 
{I}25_{/}so learn from 
what I say and profit 
from it.
{1}7{/}

{I}1_{/}I, too, am a 
mortal man{I}_{/} like 
others, a descendant of 
the first human being 
formed from clay. My 
flesh was molded in a 
mother's womb; 
{I}2_{/}her blood formed 
me for ten months from 
the seed of man, given in 
pleasure, the companion 
of sleep.
{I}3_{/}Once born, I 
breathed the air common 
to everyone; I fell on 
the earth, the same for 
all; my first cry was 
like that of other 
infants.
{I}4_{/}I was nourished, 
cared for and wrapped in 
swaddling clothes; 
{I}5_{/}indeed, no other 
king began life 
differently. {I}6_{/}For 
there is but one way into 
life for all and one way 
out of it.
I PRAYED AND WISDOM WAS 
GIVEN TO ME{/}

{I}7_{/}I prayed and 
understanding was given 
to me; I asked earnestly 
and the spirit of Wisdom 
came to me.
{I}8_{/}I preferred her 
to scepters and thrones 
and I considered wealth 
as nothing compared with 
her.
{I}9_{/}I preferred her 
to any jewel of 
inestimable value, since 
gold beside her is 
nothing but a few grains 
of sand, and silver but 
mud. {I}10_{/}I loved her 
more than wealth and 
beauty and even preferred 
her to light, because her 
radiance never dies.
{I}11_{/}She brought with 
her all other good 
things, untold riches in 
her hands. {I}12_{/}I 
rejoiced at all that came 
with Wisdom without 
knowing she was their 
mother.
{I}13_{/}What I learned 
without self-interest I 
share freely and with no 
desire to conceal her 
value; {I}14_{/}for she 
is an inexhaustible 
treasure for man and 
those who possess her 
have gained the 
friendship of God, 
commended to him by the 
fruits of her discipline.
{I}15_{/}May God grant me 
to speak with discernment 
and reflect in a way 
worthy of the gifts I 
have received, for he is 
the guide of Wisdom and 
directs wise men. 
{I}16_{/}For we are in 
God's hands, we 
ourselves, our words, our 
understanding and 
technical knowledge.
{I}17_{/}He, in fact, has 
given me true knowledge 
of what is, of the world 
and the properties of the 
elements; {I}18_{/}the 
beginning, the end and 
the times in between; the 
alternation of the 
solstices and the 
succession of the 
seasons; {I}19_{/}the 
cycles of the year and 
the position of the 
stars; {I}20_{/}the 
natures of animal species 
and the ways of wild 
beasts; the power of 
spirits and human 
reasoning; the varieties 
of plants and medicinal 
properties of roots.
THE REFLECTION OF ETERNAL 
LIGHT{/}

{I}21_{/}I have come to 
know everything we see 
and everything hidden, 
{I}22_{/}because Wisdom, 
who designed them all, 
taught me.
In her is a spirit that 
is intelligent, saintly, 
unique, manifold, subtle, 
active, concise, pure and 
lucid. It cannot corrupt, 
loves what is good and 
nothing can restrain it; 
{I}23_{/}it is 
beneficent, loving 
humankind, steadfast, 
dependable, calm though 
almighty. It sees 
everything and penetrates 
all spirits, however 
intelligent, subtle and 
pure they may be.
{I}24_{/}Wisdom, in fact, 
surpasses in mobility all 
that moves, and being so 
pure pervades and 
permeates all things.
{I}25_{/}She is a breath 
of the power of God, a 
pure emanation of the 
glory of the Almighty; 
nothing impure can enter 
her. {I}26_{/}She is a 
reflection of eternal 
light, a spotless mirror 
of God's action and an 
image of his goodness.
{I}27_{/}She is but one, 
yet Wisdom can do all 
things and, herself 
unchanging, she renews 
all things. She enters 
holy souls, making them 
prophets and friends of 
God, {I}28_{/}for God 
loves only those who live 
with Wisdom.
{I}29_{/}She is indeed 
more beautiful than the 
sun and surpasses all the 
constellations; she 
outrivals light, 
{I}30_{/}for light gives 
way to night, but evil 
cannot prevail against 
Wisdom.
{1}8{/}

{I}1_{/}Wisdom displays 
her strength from one end 
of the earth to the 
other, ordering all 
things rightly.
{I}2_{/}I loved her and 
sought her from my youth; 
I strove to have her as 
my bride for I had fallen 
in love with her beauty.
{I}3_{/}Her nearness to 
God tells of her noble 
birth. Because the Lord 
of all has loved her, 
{I}4_{/}she is instructed 
in God's knowledge and 
chooses his works.
{I}5_{/}If we desire 
riches in life, what is 
richer than Wisdom who is 
the active cause of 
everything? {I}6_{/}If 
the intellect shows 
itself in action, still 
more does she who 
fashions everything. 
{I}7_{/}If you love 
righteousness, every 
virtue is the fruit of 
her labor, for she 
teaches temperance, 
prudence, justice, 
fortitude - all that is 
most valuable in life.
{I}8_{/}If someone is 
eager for experience, she 
knows what took place in 
the past and forecasts 
the future. She has the 
art of interpretation and 
knows how to solve 
riddles, she foresees 
signs and wonders, the 
end of ages and eras.
{I}9_{/}This is why I 
decided to have her as 
companion for life, 
knowing she would be a 
wise counselor and 
encourage me in times of 
worry and distress.
{I}10_{/}I thought: With 
her I shall have glory 
among the nations and, 
although young, honor 
among the elderly; 
{I}11_{/}I shall be found 
penetrating in judgment 
and be admired by the 
powerful.
{I}12_{/}If I am silent 
they will wait to hear 
me; if I speak, they will 
pay attention; though I 
speak at length they will 
put their hand on their 
lips.
{I}13_{/}Thanks to her I 
shall win immortality, 
and to those who come 
after me I shall leave an 
everlasting memory.
{I}14_{/}I shall govern 
peoples, and nations will 
be subject to me. 
{I}15_{/}Terrible 
sovereigns will cower 
when they hear of my 
name, but to my people I 
shall show myself kind; 
in battle, courageous.
{I}16_{/}When I come home 
I shall take my rest with 
her, for there is nothing 
bitter in her company and 
no suffering in sharing 
life with her, only 
pleasure and joy.
{I}17_{/}Pondering over 
all this, I understood 
that I would achieve 
immortality by being 
united to Wisdom; 
{I}18_{/}I would have 
pure delight through 
friendship with her, 
inexhaustible riches in 
what she does, 
understanding from being 
in her company and renown 
from sharing her 
conversation. Then I set 
out to seek and possess 
her.
{I}19_{/}I had a pleasant 
personality even as a 
child and {I}20_{/}was 
good-natured or rather, 
being good, I had entered 
an undefiled body.
{I}21_{/}But knowing that 
I could only possess 
Wisdom if she were given 
me by God - it was a mark 
of intelligence to know 
who was the donor - I 
turned to the Lord and 
implored him, saying with 
all my heart: 
GIVE ME YOUR WISDOM{/}

{1}9{/}

{I}1_{/}God of our 
fathers and Lord of 
mercy, whose word has 
created everything and 
{I}2_{/}who in Wisdom 
formed man to govern your 
creation, {I}3_{/}to rule 
the world in holiness and 
justice, passing sentence 
with right judgment,
{I}4_{/}give me Wisdom 
that sits beside your 
throne and do not reject 
me from among your 
children.
{I}5_{/}For I am your 
servant, son of your 
handmaid, a weak and 
mortal man with little 
understanding of judgment 
and laws. {I}6_{/}Even 
the most perfect among 
the sons of men counts 
for nothing, unless he 
has received Wisdom that 
comes from you.
{I}7_{/}You have chosen 
me as king for your 
people, as judge over 
your sons and daughters.
{I}8_{/}You have ordered 
me to build a temple on 
your holy mountain and an 
altar in the city where 
you live, in imitation of 
the holy Tent that was 
yours from the beginning. 
{I}9_{/}With you is 
Wisdom that knows your 
works, that was present 
when you made the world 
and is aware of what is 
pleasing in your eyes and 
what is right according 
to your commandments.
{I}10_{/}Send her from 
the holy heavens, 
dispatch her from your 
holy throne to work 
beside me so that I may 
know what is pleasing to 
you.
{I}11_{/}For she knows 
and understands 
everything; she will 
direct my actions with 
prudence and protect me 
with her power.
{I}12_{/}Then my deeds 
will please you, and I 
shall judge your people 
in justice and be worthy 
of the throne of my 
father.
{I}13_{/}Indeed, what man 
can know the intentions 
of God? Who can discern 
the plan of the Lord?
{I}14_{/}For human 
reasoning is timid, our 
notions misleading; 
{I}15_{/}a perishable 
body is a burden for the 
soul and our tent of clay 
weighs down the active 
mind.
{I}16_{/}We are barely 
able to know about the 
things of earth and it is 
a struggle to understand 
what is close to us; who 
then may hope to 
understand heavenly 
things?
{I}17_{/}Who has ever 
known your will unless 
you first gave him Wisdom 
and sent down your holy 
spirit to him? 
{I}18_{/}In{I}_{/}this 
way you directed the 
human race on the right 
path; they learned what 
pleases you and were 
saved by Wisdom.
THE WISDOM OF GOD WORKS 
IN HISTORY{/}

{1}10{/}

{I}1_{/}Wisdom protected 
the father of the world, 
the first man to be 
formed, who was created 
alone. {I}2_{/}She 
delivered him from his 
fault and gave him power 
to govern all things.
{I}3_{/}When a violent 
man turning in anger 
strayed from Wisdom, he 
perished in his 
fratricidal fury. 
{I}4_{/}Because of the 
violent, the earth was 
submerged by the flood, 
but Wisdom again saved it 
by piloting an upright 
man on a frail piece of 
wood.
{I}5_{/}Again when the 
nations, united in evil, 
had been thrown into 
confusion, it was Wisdom 
who singled out a 
righteous man, keeping 
him blameless before God 
and steadfast, despite 
his pity for his child.
{I}6_{/}It was she who, 
when the godless 
perished, saved the 
righteous man and let him 
flee from the fire 
pouring down on the Five 
Cities. {I}7_{/}To this 
day the arid land, a 
smoking waste, witnesses 
to their perversity, for 
plants there bear unripe 
fruit and a pillar of 
salt stands as a monument 
to an unbelieving woman.
{I}8_{/}For having 
ignored Wisdom, not only 
were they kept from 
knowing what is good, but 
their ruins were left as 
a monument to their 
foolishness so that their 
failure might never be 
forgotten.
{I}9_{/}But Wisdom 
rescued her servants from 
their trials. 
{I}10_{/}Along straight 
paths she led the upright 
man who fled from his 
brother's anger. She 
showed him God's kingdom 
and let him know the holy 
angels; she made him 
prosperous and successful 
in his toil. 
{I}11_{/}Wisdom stood by 
him against the greed of 
oppressors and made him 
rich.
{I}12_{/}She protected 
him from his enemies and 
saved him from the traps 
they set for him; with 
Wisdom he triumphed in an 
arduous struggle, 
learning in this way that 
nothing is as strong as 
piety.
{I}13_{/}She did not 
abandon the righteous man 
when he was sold; still 
more she kept him free 
from sin. {I}14_{/}She 
went down into the 
cistern with him; she did 
not leave him in chains, 
but made him the ruler of 
a kingdom, giving him 
authority over his 
oppressors. She denounced 
as liars those who 
accused him falsely and 
gave him everlasting 
honor.
{I}15_{/}It was she who 
rescued an innocent and 
holy people from a nation 
of oppressors.
{I}16_{/}She entered the 
soul of God's servant and 
through him withstood 
terrible kings with signs 
and wonders.
{I}17_{/}To the holy 
people she gave the wages 
of their labor, leading 
them in a wonderful way, 
giving them shade during 
the day and the light of 
the stars at night.
{I}18_{/}She brought them 
across the Red Sea, but 
drowned their enemies 
{I}19_{/}and later washed 
them ashore from the 
depth of the abyss.
{I}20_{/}So the righteous 
looted the godless, 
singing hymns, Lord, to 
your holy Name, and one 
in heart, they gave 
thanks for your saving 
hand. {I}21_{/}Wisdom 
gives speech to the dumb 
and makes infants speak 
clearly.
{1}11{/}

{I}1_{/}Wisdom gave 
success to their actions 
through a holy prophet; 
{I}2_{/}they crossed an 
uninhabited wilderness 
and pitched camp in 
inaccessible places.
{I}3_{/}They stood up to 
their enemies and fought 
off the hostile. 
{I}4_{/}When they were 
thirsty they called on 
you and you gave them 
water from hard flint, 
from a rocky cliff, a 
welcome relief for the 
parched.
{I}5_{/}The same 
creatures you used to 
punish their enemies were 
of benefit to them in 
their trouble.
{I}6_{/}For their enemies 
an ever-flowing source of 
river water was polluted 
with blood - {I}7_{/}a 
stern response to the 
decree ordering the 
slaughter of infants. 
But, against all hope, 
you gave your people 
water in abundance, 
{I}8_{/}showing them by 
the thirst they suffered, 
how you had punished 
their enemies. 
{I}9_{/}Their trials were 
no more than merciful 
reproofs. Through them, 
your people learned how 
severely the wicked were 
judged and punished.
{I}10_{/}You tested them 
as does a father, while 
you examined their 
enemies like a stern 
king.
{I}11_{/}Their enemies 
suffered at the time and 
also later. {I}12_{/}When 
they remembered the past, 
theirs was a double grief 
and groaning. 
{I}13_{/}They came to see 
that it was the work of 
the Lord when they 
realized that their 
punishment had benefited 
the others.
{I}14_{/}Long before, 
they had exposed Moses; 
they had rejected him in 
derision; but now they 
admired him because of 
what had happened, and 
after they had suffered a 
thirst far different from 
that of the righteous.
{I}15_{/}Their wickedness 
and foolish ideas led 
them astray, even to 
worshiping snakes and 
other repugnant animals; 
this is why you sent them 
hordes of similar 
creatures, 
{I}16_{/}teaching them 
that punishment takes the 
same form as the sin.
{I}17_{/}In fact, your 
almighty power that 
created the world from 
formless matter did not 
lack means to unleash 
upon them bears and 
savage lions, {I}18_{/}or 
monsters freshly created, 
unknown and full of fury, 
breathing fire or noisily 
spitting smoke or 
flashing fearful sparks 
from their eyes, 
{I}19_{/}creatures not 
only capable of 
destroying them at a 
single blow but whose 
mere appearance could 
make them die of fright.
HOW GOD CORRECTS HIS 
CHILDREN{/}

{I}20_{/}Even without 
this, they could have 
dropped dead at a single 
breath if pursued by your 
justice, or dispersed by 
the breath of your might; 
but you ordered all with 
measure, number and 
weight.
{I}21_{/}You are able to 
show your power at any 
moment and who can resist 
the strength of your arm? 
{I}22_{/}For the entire 
world lies before you, 
just enough to tip the 
scales, a drop of morning 
dew falling on the 
ground.
{I}23_{/}But because you 
are almighty, you are 
merciful to all; you 
overlook sins and give 
your children time to 
repent. {I}24_{/}You love 
everything that exists 
and hate nothing that you 
have made; had you hated 
anything, you would not 
have formed it.
{I}25_{/}How could 
anything endure if you 
did not will it? And how 
could anything last that 
you had not willed? 
{I}26_{/}You have 
compassion on all because 
all is yours, O Lord, 
lover of life.
{1}12{/}

{I}1_{/}In fact your 
immortal spirit is in 
all.
{I}2_{/}And so by degrees 
you correct those who 
sin, you admonish them, 
reminding them how they 
have strayed so that 
turning away from evil 
they may trust in you, 
Lord.
{I}3_{/}So it happened 
with those who once lived 
in your holy land. 
{I}4_{/}You hated them 
because of their 
detestable practices, 
their sorcery and unholy 
worship. {I}5_{/}They 
were used to the pitiless 
slaughter of children at 
the feasts in which they 
ate human flesh and blood 
and even bowels, while 
they fulfilled secret 
rituals.
{I}6_{/}Because these 
parents murdered their 
defenseless children, you 
wished our ancestors to 
destroy them, {I}7_{/}and 
the land dearest to you 
became the home of God's 
children who were worthy 
of it.
{I}8_{/}But you even 
showed mercy to these 
sinners because they were 
human beings. You sent 
hornets ahead of your 
army to gradually destroy 
them.
{I}9_{/}You could have 
given the wicked over to 
the righteous in battle, 
or destroyed them in one 
blow by means of savage 
beasts or with a harsh 
command; {I}10_{/}but in 
punishng them gradually 
you gave them time to 
repent. Nevertheless you 
were aware of their evil 
nature, their innate 
malice and how fixed they 
were in their ways, 
{I}11_{/}for it was a 
cursed race from the 
beginning.
In any case, it was not 
through fear of anyone 
that you left their sins 
unpunished. {I}12_{/}For 
who dares say to you, 
"What have you done?" Who 
would dare to reject your 
sentence? Who could 
reproach you for 
destroying the nations 
you formed? Who would 
dare rise against you in 
defense of the guilty?
{I}13_{/}For there is no 
other god besides you, 
one who cares for 
everyone, who could ask 
you to justify your 
judgments; {I}14_{/}there 
is no other king or 
sovereign who could 
confront you and support 
those you punish.
{I}15_{/}You are just and 
you rule all with 
justice; had you 
condemned those who 
should not be punished, 
you would have misused 
your power.
{I}16_{/}Your strength is 
the source of your 
justice and because you 
are the Lord of all, you 
can be merciful to 
everyone.
{I}17_{/}To those who 
doubt your sovereign 
power you show your 
strength and you confound 
the insolence of those 
who ignore it. 
{I}18_{/}But you, the 
Lord of strength, judge 
with prudence and govern 
us with great patience, 
because you are able to 
do anything at the time 
you want.
{I}19_{/}In this way you 
have taught your people 
that a righteous person 
must love his human 
fellows; you have also 
given your people cause 
for hope by prompting 
them to repent of their 
sin.
{I}20_{/}For if you have 
been careful and patient 
in punishing the enemies 
of your people when they 
deserved to die, and have 
given them a time and a 
place to turn from their 
wickedness, {I}21_{/}with 
what strict attention 
have you not judged your 
people, you who bound 
yourself to our fathers 
with oaths and covenants 
full of magnificent 
promises.
{I}22_{/}Yes, you punish 
us, but you punish our 
enemies far more severely 
to teach us when we judge 
others to remember your 
kindness, and when we are 
judged to count on your 
mercy.
{I}23_{/}Those who lived 
foolishly and wickedly, 
you tormented with their 
own abominations. 
{I}24_{/}For they had 
strayed into error to the 
point of{I}_{/}choosing 
vile and disgusting 
animals as gods, allowing 
themselves to be deceived 
like infants.
{I}25_{/}And, as to 
children with no sense, 
you sent them a 
punishment to mock them; 
{I}26_{/}but if they took 
no warning from these 
corrections, they were 
soon to receive a 
punishment worthy of God. 
{I}27_{/}In their 
suffering they became 
indignant at those 
animals they had taken as 
gods and who were now 
used to punish them. Then 
they saw clearly, and 
acknowledged as God, him 
whom before they had 
refused to know. That 
is{I}_{/}why they 
suffered the supreme 
punishment.
AGAINST THOSE WHO WORSHIP 
IMAGES{/}

{1}13{/}

{I}1_{/}The natural 
helplessness of men is 
seen in their ignorance 
of God. The experience of 
good things did not lead 
them to the knowledge of 
Him who is. They were 
interested in his works, 
but they did not 
recognize the author of 
them.
{I}2_{/}Fire, wind, air, 
the sphere of the stars, 
rushing water and the 
lights in the sky were 
held as the rulers of the 
world.
{I}3_{/}If, charmed by 
such beauty, they took 
them for gods, let them 
know how far superior is 
their sovereign. 
{I}4_{/}And if they were 
impressed by their power 
and{I}_{/}activity, let 
them understand from this 
how much mightier is he 
who formed them. 
{I}5_{/}For the grandeur 
and beauty of creatures 
lead us to ponder on 
their Author, greater and 
more magnificent.
{I}6_{/}No doubt these 
men are not to be blamed 
severely, for possibly 
they strayed though they 
searched for God and 
desired to find him. 
{I}7_{/}They pondered 
over the created things 
that surrounded them and 
were captivated by the 
sight of such beauty.
{I}8_{/}Even so they are 
not to be excused, 
{I}9_{/}for if they were 
able to explore the 
world, why did they not 
discover first the 
world's Sovereign?
{I}10_{/}But unhappy, 
indeed, are those people 
who give to man-made 
artifacts the title of 
gods! Cursed is their 
hope in dead things, 
objects worked in gold 
and silver, likenesses of 
animals, and even useless 
stones carved long ago!
{I}11_{/}Take a 
woodcutter - he fells a 
tree that is easy to 
move, expertly strips off 
all the bark and with the 
wood makes a utensil 
needed in daily life; 
{I}12_{/}he uses the bits 
left over as fuel for 
cooking his food and he 
has a good meal. 
{I}13_{/}Then he picks up 
an utterly useless left-
over piece, all gnarled 
and knotted, and carves 
it in his leisure time, 
using his professional 
skill to give it the 
shape of a man or 
{I}14_{/}maybe of a 
worthless animal. He 
covers it with ochre and 
paints the surface red, 
covering all its 
blemishes.
{I}15_{/}He then makes a 
suitable niche for it in 
the wall and fastens it 
in place with iron nails.
{I}16_{/}The craftsman is 
careful to keep it from 
falling, knowing that it 
is{I}_{/}unable to help 
itself. It needs help 
because it is no more 
than an image.
{I}17_{/}Even so, when it 
is a matter of his 
marriage, his children 
and his household, the 
man is not ashamed to 
pray to this lifeless 
object. He prays for his 
health to something 
without strength; 
{I}18_{/}for life he 
prays to what is dead, 
for help he implores 
something insensitive, 
for a successful journey 
he has recourse to what 
cannot walk, {I}19_{/}for 
his profit, his concerns 
and success in his craft 
he asks help of something 
that has no skill 
whatever in its hands.
{1}14{/}

{I}1_{/}Imagine someone 
who is about to set sail 
and cross the raging sea. 
He calls upon a piece of 
wood far more fragile 
than the boat that 
carries him.
{I}2_{/}In fact, this 
boat has been built with 
gain in mind and proceeds 
from the wisdom of the 
shipwright. {I}3_{/}But 
it is your providence, 
Father, that guides it, 
for you are the one who 
prepares a path through 
the sea and a safe way 
over the waves. 
{I}4_{/}By this we 
understand that you are 
able to save us from any 
danger, and even the 
unskilled are able to 
sail.
{I}5_{/}People are the 
work of your wisdom and 
you do not want them to 
remain idle. So they 
trust their lives to a 
small plank of wood and 
cross the sea safe and 
sound on a raft.
{I}6_{/}At the beginning 
of time when proud giants 
perished, the hope of the 
world took refuge on a 
raft and, led by your 
hand, left to the world 
the seed of a new race. 
{I}7_{/}Blessed be the 
wood by which salvation 
was carried out!
{I}8_{/}But cursed be the 
idol and its maker, the 
idol made by human hands, 
this corruptible thing 
that is called a god, and 
the craftsman for having 
fashioned it.
{I}9_{/}They are hateful 
to God, both the godless 
and the fruit of his 
godlessness; {I}10_{/}the 
maker will be punished 
together with his work.
{I}11_{/}Therefore the 
idols of the nations will 
also be judged. They have 
come to be the most 
abominable among the 
creatures of God. They 
are a stumbling block to 
the spirit of man, and 
the feet of the foolish 
are caught in the snare.
{I}12_{/}The invention of 
idols was the origin of 
licentiousness; when they 
were invented, life 
became corrupt. 
{I}13_{/}For in the 
beginning they did not 
exist and they will not 
exist forever. 
{I}14_{/}Human vanity 
introduced them into the 
world, and God has set a 
term for them.
{I}15_{/}Suppose a 
father, overwhelmed by 
grief for a child so 
swiftly taken from him, 
has an image made of him. 
From that time on a dead 
creature will be honored 
as a god, because the 
father handed on to his 
dependents secret rites 
and celebrations. 
{I}16_{/}Time will 
consolidate this unholy 
practice and eventually 
it will be observed by 
law.
It has also happened that 
sculptured images were 
venerated by order of 
sovereigns. 
{I}17_{/}Those who lived 
far away and were unable 
to honor them personally 
had copies made, that 
they might honor them as 
if present by means of 
their image.
{I}18_{/}The ambition of 
the artist helped the 
veneration grow among 
those who did not even 
know the sovereign. 
{I}19_{/}As he wished to 
please his master, he 
made the portrait more 
attractive than reality, 
{I}20_{/}and the people, 
seduced by the perfection 
of art work, began to 
worship someone 
previously honored as a 
man.
{I}21_{/}In this way the 
image became a pitfall 
for the living, for 
people bent down, either 
by misfortune or tyranny, 
gave to stones and wood 
the incommunicable Name.
{I}22_{/}But it was not 
enough for them to err in 
their knowledge of God; 
in the great trouble to 
which ignorance condemned 
them, they have called 
such an evil situation 
peace.
{I}23_{/}With the 
sacrificial murder of 
children in their 
initiations, with secret 
mysteries and wild 
ceremonial orgies, 
{I}24_{/}they no longer 
keep their lives and 
marriages pure; they 
treacherously murder one 
another or wound others 
through adultery.
{I}25_{/}Everywhere it is 
a welter of blood, 
murder, fraud and theft, 
corruption, treachery, 
riots, perjury; 
{I}26_{/}on all sides 
harassment of good 
people, forgetfulness of 
favors, the pollution of 
souls and sins against 
nature, widespread 
disorder in marriage, 
adultery, debauchery.
{I}27_{/}Indeed the 
worship of gods which do 
not even deserve a name, 
is the beginning, cause 
and effect of every evil.
{I}28_{/}Others delight 
in raving or uttering 
false prophecies; they 
live wickedly and 
casually perjure 
themselves. {I}29_{/}As 
they deal with lifeless 
images, they do not fear 
any punishment for their 
false oaths, {I}30_{/}but 
a double punishment 
awaits them: as idolators 
for their base concept of 
God, as frauds for taking 
false oaths in defiance 
of all that is holy.
{I}31_{/}Though the idols 
by which they swore are 
powerless, justice that 
pursues sinners always 
overtakes the sin of the 
wicked.
{1}15{/}

{I}1_{/}But you, our God, 
are kind and true; you 
bear evil patiently and 
order everything with 
mercy. {I}2_{/}Even when 
we sin we belong to you 
and acknowledge your 
power, but aware that we 
belong to you, we shall 
not sin.
{I}3_{/}To know you is 
perfect righteousness and 
to acknowledge your power 
is the root of 
immortality.
{I}4_{/}So we have not 
been led astray by a 
deceptive invention of 
men - the sterile labor 
of painters - these idols 
daubed with colors, 
{I}5_{/}the sight of 
which stirs yearning in 
fools attached to the 
lifeless face of a dead 
image.
{I}6_{/}Really, idol-
makers and those who 
serve and worship them 
are looking for disgrace 
and deserve to have false 
hope.
{I}7_{/}The potter, 
laboriously working the 
soft clay, fashions each 
object for our use, and 
from the same clay he 
shapes vessels, some for 
food, and others for what 
is thrown away. The 
potter makes vessels for 
both clean and unclean 
uses and decides to what 
purpose each one is 
shaped. {I}8_{/}The same 
way and from the same 
clay he fashions a 
helpless god; cursed 
labor of a man recently 
formed from clay, who 
will shortly return to 
clay when he is called to 
give up his soul.
{I}9_{/}He has no thought 
of dying soon, no thought 
of the short duration of 
life. None at all. He 
competes with those who 
work on silver and gold 
and, like the smith, he 
feels proud to make a 
counterfeit of God.
{I}10_{/}Ashes, that is 
what his heart is; his 
hope cheaper than dust; 
{I}11_{/}his life worth 
as much as clay, for he 
has not acknowledged his 
Maker, who has breathed 
into him an active soul, 
a living spirit. 
{I}12_{/}He looks on life 
as a game and its 
duration a market full of 
bargains, for as he says, 
"a man must make the most 
of life whether by fair 
means or foul."
{I}13_{/}This man, more 
than others, knows that 
he sins in fashioning 
with the same clay, 
vessels and sculptured 
gods.
{I}14_{/}But utterly 
foolish and more pitiable 
than the soul of a 
newborn infant were the 
enemies that oppressed 
your people. 
{I}15_{/}They received as 
gods all the idols of the 
nations - idols that have 
no eyes to see, no 
nostrils to breathe the 
air, no ears to hear, no 
fingers to feel with, or 
feet that are able to 
walk. For these gods are 
the work of a man, a 
creature of borrowed 
breath made them.
{I}16_{/}Man cannot even 
make a god that resembles 
himself; {I}17_{/}a 
mortal's unholy hands 
produce a dead god. He 
is, in fact, superior to 
what he worships, since 
he at least lives, but 
they will never live.
{I}18_{/}People worship 
the most repulsive 
animals, the most stupid 
of all who, unlike other 
animals, are devoid of 
beauty; {I}19_{/}these 
are unattractive 
creatures who have missed 
the blessing of God and 
are not fit to give him 
praise.
HOW GOD TREATS HIS PEOPLE 
AND THE EGYPTIANS 
DIFFERENTLY{/}

{1}16{/}

{I}1_{/}That is why this 
people received the 
punishment they deserved 
through similar animals 
and hordes of tormenting 
insects. {I}2_{/}But in 
contrast to this 
punishment it was 
kindness you showed to 
your people by providing 
quails - a delicious food 
- for them. 
{I}3_{/}As for the 
Egyptians, in spite of 
their fierce hunger, they 
were restrained by 
disgust from eating 
because of the repulsive 
sight of the creatures 
sent against them. But 
the Israelites after 
being deprived for a time 
were then given the 
finest food.
{I}4_{/}It was necessary 
for their oppressors to 
suffer severe want, but 
enough for your people to 
know how the enemy was 
punished. {I}5_{/}Indeed 
when they experienced the 
fury of wild animals and 
the bites of writhing 
snakes, your anger did 
not endure.
{I}6_{/}Their temporary 
affliction served as a 
warning; then they were 
given a sign of salvation 
to remind them of the 
prescriptions of your 
law. {I}7_{/}For whoever 
turned towards it was 
saved, not by the image 
he saw, but by you, Lord, 
the Savior of all.
{I}8_{/}In that way you 
taught our enemies that 
it is you who deliver us 
from every evil. 
{I}9_{/}They were, in 
fact, killed by the sting 
of insects and flies for 
which there was no cure 
since they deserved 
punishment from these 
creatures. {I}10_{/}Your 
children instead were not 
overcome, even by the 
fangs of venomous 
serpents, for your mercy 
intervened and healed 
them.
{I}11_{/}Bites quickly 
healed reminded them of 
your commands, lest they 
fall into deep oblivion 
and forget your kindness. 
{I}12_{/}No herb, no 
ointment healed them but 
your word, Lord, that 
heals all.
{I}13_{/}You are Lord of 
life and death; you bring 
down to the gate of the 
netherworld and bring 
back again. {I}14_{/}Man 
in his wickedness is able 
to kill but he cannot 
bring back the departed 
spirit or rescue the 
snatched soul. 
{I}15_{/}It is impossible 
to escape your hand.
{I}16_{/}The godless, 
refusing to acknowledge 
you, were scourged by the 
strength of your arm, 
lashed by relentless 
downpours, hail, and 
pitiless storms, and 
consumed by fire.
{I}17_{/}But this was the 
most astounding: water, 
powerful to quench, made 
fire burn more fiercely. 
For the elements fight on 
the side of the 
righteous.
{I}18_{/}At times the 
flame abated to spare the 
insects thrust against 
the wicked, that they 
might know they were 
pursued by God's 
sentence.
{I}19_{/}At other times, 
in the midst of water the 
flame rose more fiercely 
than fire to destroy the 
harvest of an unholy 
land.
{I}20_{/}But to your 
people you gave the food 
of angels and from heaven 
sent bread already 
prepared and suiting all 
tastes, having every 
flavor. {I}21_{/}In this 
way you revealed your 
loving kindness to your 
children. 
{I}22_{/}Satisfying all 
needs, this bread 
provided what each one 
wanted.
That food, having the 
appearance of snow and 
ice, resisted fire and 
did not melt; thus they 
understood how their 
enemy's harvest was 
destroyed by fire in the 
midst of hail, while 
lightning flashed in the 
falling rain. 
{I}23_{/}This same fire 
seemed to forget its own 
nature in order to spare 
the food of the 
righteous.
{I}24_{/}Your creation is 
at your service for you 
are its Author. It works 
to punish the wicked and 
withdraws for the benefit 
of those who put their 
trust in you.
{I}25_{/}In the service 
of your bounty which 
attends to everything, 
creation made itself 
manifold and adjusted to 
the wish of everyone. 
{I}26_{/}Then the 
children you love learned 
that it is not crops of 
whatever kind which 
nourish mankind, but your 
word that sustains those 
who trust you.
{I}27_{/}That food which 
resisted fire, simply 
melted in the warmth of a 
fleeting sunbeam, 
{I}28_{/}teaching us that 
we must rise before the 
sun to give thanks and 
pray to you at dawn. 
{I}29_{/}The hope of the 
ungrateful will melt like 
winter frost and flow 
away like water that is 
not being used.
{1}17{/}

{I}1_{/}How great are 
your purposes and how 
difficult to explain! 
People who have not 
learned about them have 
gone astray.
{I}2_{/}While the godless 
thought they had the holy 
nation in their power, 
they themselves were 
prisoners, captives of a 
long night, shut in under 
their own roofs, banished 
from eternal providence.
{I}3_{/}Although they 
counted on their sins 
remaining hidden under 
the veil of 
forgetfulness, they were 
scattered and at the same 
time dismayed and 
terrified by visions. 
{I}4_{/}The dark places 
where they sheltered 
could not protect them 
from fear, they heard 
horrific noises and were 
confronted with ghastly 
and mournful apparitions. 
{I}5_{/}No fire could 
give them light, while 
the sparkling radiance of 
the stars dared not shine 
on that horrible night. 
{I}6_{/}All that shone 
for them was an 
inextinguishable and 
terrifying fire and, in 
their terror, when this 
vision ended, they 
imagined their situation 
to be worse than it was.
{I}7_{/}Their magic arts 
failed and their pretence 
to intelligence was 
utterly confounded; 
{I}8_{/}those who claimed 
to eliminate the fear and 
disturbance of the sick 
mind were themselves 
afflicted with a 
ridiculous fear.
{I}9_{/}Although there 
was nothing to cause this 
fear, they were terrified 
by the buzz of insects 
and the hiss of snakes; 
{I}10_{/}they died 
convulsed with fear, 
refusing to look even at 
the air from which no one 
may escape. 
{I}11_{/}Wickedness is 
cowardly and is condemned 
by itself; pursued by 
conscience it always 
assumes the worst. 
{I}12_{/}For fear is no 
more than giving up the 
help that reason is able 
to give. 
{I}13_{/}Inasmuch as this 
help is lacking 
interiorly, the unknown 
cause of one's torments 
seems greater.
{I}14_{/}So all that 
night, a night issued 
from the powerless 
netherworld that took 
hold of them while they 
slept and made everyone 
powerless,{I}_15_{/}they 
were either pursued by 
monstrous ghosts or 
paralyzed by a sudden, 
unexpected fear. 
{I}16_{/}Whoever had 
fallen lay there, shut in 
a prison not made of 
iron.
{I}17_{/}Whether plowman 
or shepherd or someone 
working by himself, he 
had to submit to an 
inevitable fate; 
{I}18_{/}all were bound 
by the same chain of 
darkness.
Everything held them 
paralyzed by fear: the 
sighing of the wind and 
the tuneful song of the 
birds in spreading 
branches, the continuous 
noise of rushing water 
{I}19_{/}and the terrible 
crash of falling rocks, 
the swift, invisible 
bounding of animals and 
the terrifying roar of 
wild beasts, the echo 
rebounding from the 
mountains - all was a 
cause of fear.
{I}20_{/}The whole world 
shone in brilliant light 
and continued its work 
without hindrance; 
{I}21_{/}they alone were 
covered in the darkness 
of night, the image of 
night that would be their 
lot. But even heavier 
than the darkness was the 
burden they were for 
themselves.
{1}18{/}

{I}1_{/}Meanwhile, for 
your holy ones there was 
great light. The 
Egyptians heard their 
voice without seeing 
them; they called them 
fortunate because they 
had not suffered; 
{I}2_{/}they also thanked 
them, for in spite of the 
injustice done to them 
they had not retaliated, 
and asked their pardon 
for previous wrongs.
{I}3_{/}In contrast to 
this darkness, you gave 
your holy people a pillar 
of fire as a guide in 
their unmapped journey, 
as a mild sun during 
their glorious migration. 
{I}4_{/}The enemy 
deserved to be without 
light and imprisoned in 
darkness for having 
imprisoned your sons, the 
people through whom the 
imperishable light of 
your laws would be given 
to the world.
{I}5_{/}They had intended 
to kill the infants of 
your holy people - and of 
those exposed only one 
child was saved. Because 
of that you retaliated by 
doing away with a 
multitude of their sons 
who perished together in 
the raging sea.
{I}6_{/}That night had 
been foretold to our 
fathers, and knowing in 
what promise they 
trusted, they could 
rejoice in all surety.
{I}7_{/}Your people 
waited for both the 
salvation of the just and 
the downfall of their 
enemies, {I}8_{/}for the 
very punishment of our 
enemies brought glory to 
the people you have 
called - that is, to us.
{I}9_{/}The holy race 
secretly offered the 
Passover sacrifice and 
really agreed on this 
worthy pact: that they 
would share alike both 
blessings and dangers. 
And forthwith they began 
to sing the hymns of 
their fathers.
{I}10_{/}Then came 
discordant echoes from 
their enemies: plaintive 
voices mourning their 
children.
{I}11_{/}The same 
sentence struck slave and 
master alike; the common 
man and the king endured 
equal suffering. 
{I}12_{/}They mourned 
together for innumerable 
victims, all stricken 
with the same kind of 
death.
The living were not 
enough to bury them, for 
the flower of their race 
had perished in an 
instant.
{I}13_{/}Although sorcery 
had turned them into 
unbelievers, after the 
death of their firstborn 
they acknowledged that 
your people were the 
children of God.
{I}14_{/}While all was in 
quiet silence and the 
night was in the middle 
of its course, 
{I}15_{/}your almighty 
Word leapt down from the 
Royal Throne - a stern 
warrior to a doomed 
world. {I}16_{/}Carrying 
your fearful command like 
a sharpened sword and 
stretching from heaven to 
earth, he filled the 
universe with death.
{I}17_{/}Immediately they 
were overwhelmed with 
terrible dreams and 
hallucinations and 
assailed by sudden fears. 
{I}18_{/}Thrown half-
dead, some here and some 
there, they made known 
why they were dying, 
{I}19_{/}for the dreams 
that had troubled them 
had also instructed them, 
lest they perish without 
knowing the reason for 
their misfortune.
{I}20_{/}Indeed the 
righteous, too, 
experienced death when a 
scourge struck a great 
number of them in the 
desert, but God's anger 
was short-lived.
{I}21_{/}A blameless man 
hastened to their 
defense. Using the 
weapons of his sacred 
office - prayer and 
atonement incense - he 
confronted the divine 
Wrath, putting an end to 
their affliction, and was 
thus recognized as your 
servant.
{I}22_{/}He vanquished 
your Wrath, but not by 
physical strength or by 
the force of arms. He won 
over the Punisher by 
reminding him of the 
sworn promises and 
covenants made with our 
fathers.
{I}23_{/}The dead were 
already piled up, one on 
top of the other, when he 
intervened, beating back 
Wrath and cutting it off 
from the living. 
{I}24_{/}For the whole 
world was represented on 
his flowing robe, the 
glorious names of the 
fathers on the four rows 
of stones, and your 
majesty engraved on the 
diadem on his head.
{I}25_{/}The Destroyer, 
afraid of these, 
recoiled; a mere taste of 
Wrath had been 
sufficient.
{1}19{/}

{I}1_{/}Instead, a 
pitiless fury raged 
against the wicked to the 
very end, for God knew 
beforehand what they 
would do: {I}2_{/}that 
after allowing them to 
leave and hastening their 
departure, they would 
then pursue them.
{I}3_{/}While the 
Egyptians were still 
mourning at the graves of 
their dead, they had the 
mad idea of pursuing them 
as fugitives.
{I}4_{/}A well-deserved 
fate drove them to this 
extreme, making them 
forget what had happened 
and completing their 
punishment with further 
torment. {I}5_{/}While 
your people would 
experience a miraculous 
journey, their oppressors 
would suffer an 
extraordinary death.
{I}6_{/}All creation in 
its different forms was 
fashioned anew at your 
command, in order to 
protect your people. 
{I}7_{/}The cloud covered 
the camp with its shadow, 
dry land emerged where 
water had been. A safe 
passage was opened 
through the Red Sea, the 
tempestuous flood became 
a green plain 
{I}8_{/}where the whole 
nation of those protected 
by your hand passed 
across, witnessing your 
astounding deeds.
{I}9_{/}They were like 
horses led to pasture, or 
like frolicking lambs, 
praising you, their Lord, 
who had delivered them. 
{I}10_{/}For they still 
remembered what they had 
seen in their exile: how 
the earth, in place of 
animals, had produced 
mosquitoes, and rivers, 
instead of providing 
fish, produced frogs.
{I}11_{/}Later your 
people were to see a new 
way for birds to appear, 
for when they hungered 
for food, {I}12_{/}quails 
came out of the sea to 
satisfy their need.
{I}13_{/}Punishment 
befell the sinners after 
they had been warned by 
violent thunder; 
deservedly they suffered 
for their own wickedness, 
for they had given proof 
of a most cruel hatred 
towards strangers.
{I}14_{/}Others had not 
welcomed unknown 
strangers, but the 
Egyptians enslaved guests 
who had been good to 
them. {I}15_{/}The former 
will be condemned for 
dealing badly with 
strangers; {I}16_{/}worse 
still, the Egyptians who 
had welcomed them with 
celebrations and treated 
them as equals, but later 
made them suffer cruelly.
{I}17_{/}For this they 
were afflicted with 
blindness like the men of 
Sodom who came to the 
door of the righteous man 
Lot and found themselves 
in utter darkness, each 
one groping around to 
find his own door.
{I}18_{/}The elements 
interchanged their 
qualities as on a harp 
the notes change their 
tones while retaining 
their own pitch. Clearly 
this is what happened as 
is shown by a scrutiny of 
events.
{I}19_{/}Creatures living 
on the land became 
aquatic and those that 
swam emerged on dry land. 
{I}20_{/}Fire burned more 
fiercely in water when 
water ceased to quench. 
{I}21_{/}On another 
occasion flames did not 
burn frail animals that 
passed through them nor 
did they melt the 
heavenly food that 
normally would have 
melted like frost.
{I}22_{/}For in every 
way, Lord, you have 
exalted and glorified 
your people, never 
disdaining them, but 
standing by them always 
and everywhere.

