Wisdom 10

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 She preserved the first-formed father of the world when he alone had been created; And she raised him up from his fall,	1 Wisdom protected the first-formed father of the world, when he alone had been created; she delivered him from his transgression,
2 and gave him power to rule all things.	2 and gave him strength to rule all things.
3 But when the unjust man withdrew from her in his anger, he perished through his fratricidal wrath.	3 But when an unrighteous man departed from her in his anger, he perished because in rage he slew his brother.
4 When on his account the earth was flooded, Wisdom again saved it, piloting the just man on frailest wood.	4 When the earth was flooded because of him, wisdom again saved it, steering the righteous man by a paltry piece of wood.
5 She, when the nations were sunk in universal wickedness, knew the just man, kept him blameless before God, and preserved him resolute against pity for his child.	5 Wisdom also, when the nations in wicked agreement had been confounded, recognized the righteous man and preserved him blameless before God, and kept him strong in the face of his compassion for his child.
6 She delivered the just man from among the wicked who were being destroyed, when he fled as fire descended upon Pentapolis--	6 Wisdom rescued a righteous man when the ungodly were perishing; he escaped the fire that descended on the Five Cities.
7 Where as a testimony to its wickedness, there yet remain a smoking desert, Plants bearing fruit that never ripens, and the tomb of a disbelieving soul, a standing pillar of salt.	7 Evidence of their wickedness still remains: a continually smoking wasteland, plants bearing fruit that does not ripen, and a pillar of salt standing as a monument to an unbelieving soul.
8 For those who forsook Wisdom first were bereft of knowledge of the right, And then they left mankind a memorial of their folly-- so that they could not even be hidden in their fall.	8 For because they passed wisdom by, they not only were hindered from recognizing the good, but also left for mankind a reminder of their folly, so that their failures could never go unnoticed.
9 But Wisdom delivered from tribulations those who served her.	9 Wisdom rescued from troubles those who served her.
10 She, when the just man fled from his brother's anger, guided him in direct ways, Showed him the kingdom of God and gave him knowledge of holy things; She prospered him in his labors and made abundant the fruit of his works,	10 When a righteous man fled from his brother's wrath, she guided him on straight paths; she showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of angels; she prospered him in his labors, and increased the fruit of his toil.
11 Stood by him against the greed of his defrauders, and enriched him;	11 When his oppressors were covetous, she stood by him and made him rich.
12 She preserved him from foes, and secured him against ambush, And she gave him the prize for his stern struggle that he might know that devotion to God is mightier than all else.	12 She protected him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those who lay in wait for him; in his arduous contest she gave him the victory, so that he might learn that godliness is more powerful than anything.
13 She did not abandon the just man when he was sold, but delivered him from sin.	13 When a righteous man was sold, wisdom did not desert him, but delivered him from sin. She descended with him into the dungeon,
14 She went down with him into the dungeon, and did not desert him in his bonds, Until she brought him the scepter of royalty and authority over his oppressors, Showed those who had defamed him false, and gave him eternal glory.	14 and when he was in prison she did not leave him, until she brought him the scepter of a kingdom and authority over his masters. Those who accused him she showed to be false, and she gave him everlasting honor.
15 The holy people and blameless race--it was she who delivered them from the nation that oppressed them.	15 A holy people and blameless race wisdom delivered from a nation of oppressors.
16 She entered the soul of the LORD'S servant, and withstood fearsome kings with signs and portents;	16 She entered the soul of a servant of the Lord, and withstood dread kings with wonders and signs.
17 she gave the holy ones the recompense of their labors, Conducted them by a wondrous road, and became a shelter for them by day and a starry flame by night.	17 She gave holy men the reward of their labors; she guided them along a marvelous way, and became a shelter to them by day, and a starry flame through the night.
18 She took them across the Red Sea and brought them through the deep waters--	18 She brought them over the Red Sea, and led them through deep waters;
19 But their enemies she overwhelmed, and cast them up from the bottom of the depths.	19 but she drowned their enemies, and cast them up from the depth of the sea.
20 Therefore the just despoiled the wicked; and they sang, O LORD, your holy name	20 Therefore the righteous plundered the ungodly; they sang hymns, O Lord, to thy holy name, and praised with one accord thy defending hand,
21 Because Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb, and gave ready speech to infants.	21 because wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of babes speak clearly.