Wisdom 10

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 This is he, who was formed first by God, the father of the world, who was alone when created; she preserved him,
2 and gave him power to rule all things.	2 and led him out of his offense, and gave him the power to maintain all things.
3 But when the unjust man withdrew from her in his anger, he perished through his fratricidal wrath.	3 After this, when the unjust man withdrew from her in his anger, he perished through anger by the murder of his brother.
4 When on his account the earth was flooded, Wisdom again saved it, piloting the just man on frailest wood.	4 Because of this, when water destroyed the earth, wisdom healed it again, guiding the just by means of contemptible 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 Moreover, when the nations had conspired together to consent to wickedness, she knew the just, and preserved him without blame before God, and preserved his strength out of mercy for his sons.
6 She delivered the just man from among the wicked who were being destroyed, when he fled as fire descended upon Pentapolis--	6 She freed this just man from the destruction of the impious, fleeing descending fire in 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 which, as a testimony to their wickedness, is a constantly smoking desolate land, and the trees bear fruit at uncertain times, and a figure of salt stands 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, in disregarding wisdom, they are fallen, not so much in this, that they were ignorant of good, but that they bequeathed to men a memorial of their foolishness, so that, in the things in which they sinned, they were unable to escape notice.
9 But Wisdom delivered from tribulations those who served her.	9 Yet wisdom has freed from sorrow those who are self-observant.
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 She led the just man, this fugitive of his brother’s wrath, by the right ways, and revealed to him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of holiness, honored him in his labors, and completed his labors.
11 Stood by him against the greed of his defrauders, and enriched him;	11 In the midst of encircling deceit, she flowed around him and made him honest.
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 guarded him from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and she gave him a strong conflict so that he might overcome and might know that the power of all things is wisdom.
13 She did not abandon the just man when he was sold, but delivered him from sin.	13 She did not abandon the just man when he was sold, but freed him from sinners; she went down with him into the pit,
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 she did not abandon him in chains, while she brought him the scepter of the kingdom and power against those who oppressed him, and revealed them to be liars who had dishonored him, and gave him everlasting glory.
15 The holy people and blameless race--it was she who delivered them from the nation that oppressed them.	15 She freed this just people and the blameless offspring, from the nations that had oppressed them.
16 She entered the soul of the LORD'S servant, and withstood fearsome kings with signs and portents;	16 She entered the soul of the servant of God and stood against dreadful kings in the midst of portents 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 and she rendered to the just the wages of their labors, and led them along a wondrous way; and she was to them, like a cover by day, and like the light of the stars by night.
18 She took them across the Red Sea and brought them through the deep waters--	18 She carried them through the Red Sea, and led them across a great water.
19 But their enemies she overwhelmed, and cast them up from the bottom of the depths.	19 But their enemies, she submerged in the sea, and from the furthest depths, she drew them up. Therefore, the just carried off the spoils of the impious.
20 Therefore the just despoiled the wicked; and they sang, O LORD, your holy name	20 And they chanted to your holy name, Lord, and they together praised your victorious hand,
21 Because Wisdom opened the mouths of the dumb, and gave ready speech to infants.	21 because wisdom opened the mouth of the mute, and made the speech of infants eloquent.