Wisdom 10

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
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 It was Wisdom who protected the first man to be fashioned, the father of the world, who had beencreated al alone, she it was who rescued him from his fal
2 and gave him power to rule all things.	2 and gave him the strength to subjugate al things.
3 But when the unjust man withdrew from her in his anger, he perished through his fratricidal wrath.	3 But when in his wrath a wicked man deserted her, he perished in his fratricidal fury.
4 When on his account the earth was flooded, Wisdom again saved it, piloting the just man on frailest wood.	4 When because of him the earth was drowned, it was Wisdom again who saved it, piloting the uprightman on valueless timber.
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 Again, when, concurring in wickedness, the nations had been thrown into confusion, she singled outthe upright man, preserved him blameless before God and fortified him against pity 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 She it was who, while the godless perished, saved the upright man as he fled from the fire rainingdown 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 in witness against whose evil ways a desolate land still smokes, where plants bear fruit that neverripens and where, monument to an unbelieving soul, there stands a pillar of salt.
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, by ignoring the path of Wisdom, not only did they suffer the loss of not knowing the good, but theyleft the world a memorial to their fol y, so that their offences could not pass unnoticed.
9 But Wisdom delivered from tribulations those who served her.	9 But Wisdom delivered her servants from their ordeals.
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 The upright man, fleeing from the anger of his brother, was led by her along straight paths. Sheshowed him the kingdom of God and taught him the knowledge of holy things. She brought him success in hislabours and gave him ful return for all his efforts;
11 Stood by him against the greed of his defrauders, and enriched him;	11 she stood by him against grasping and oppressive men and she 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 preserved him from his enemies and saved him from the traps they set for him. In an arduousstruggle she awarded him the prize, to teach him that piety is stronger than al .
13 She did not abandon the just man when he was sold, but delivered him from sin.	13 She did not forsake the upright man when he was sold, but snatched him away from sin;
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 she accompanied him down into the pit, nor did she abandon him in his chains until she had broughthim the sceptre of a kingdom and authority over his despotic masters, thus exposing as liars those who hadtraduced him, and giving him honour everlasting.
15 The holy people and blameless race--it was she who delivered them from the nation that oppressed them.	15 It was Wisdom who delivered a holy people, a blameless race, 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 fearsome 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 To the holy people she gave the wages of their labours; she guided them by a marvellous road,herself their shelter by day -- and their starlight through the night.
18 She took them across the Red Sea and brought them through the deep waters--	18 She brought them across the Red Sea, leading them through an immensity of water,
19 But their enemies she overwhelmed, and cast them up from the bottom of the depths.	19 whereas she drowned their enemies, then spat them out from the depths of the abyss.
20 Therefore the just despoiled the wicked; and they sang, O LORD, your holy name	20 So the upright despoiled the godless; Lord, they extol ed your holy name, and with one accordpraised your protecting hand;
21 Because Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb, and gave ready speech to infants.	21 for Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb and made eloquent the tongues of babes.