Wisdom 11

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 She prospered their works in the hands of the holy prophet.	1 She directed their works in the hands of the holy prophet.
2 They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited, and in desert places they pitched their tents.	2 They made a path through desolate areas, which were uninhabited, and set up their homes in remote places.
3 They stood against their enemies, and revenged themselves of their adversaries.	3 They stood firm against the enemy, and vindicated themselves from their adversaries.
4 They were thirsty, and they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the high rock, and a refreshment of their thirst out of the hard stone.	4 They thirsted, and they called upon you, and water was given them out of the deepest rock, and respite from thirst out of the hard stone.
5 For by what things their enemies were punished, when their drink failed them, while the children of Israel abounded therewith and rejoiced:	5 For through water, their enemies had been punished, by the corruption of their drinking water; and so, among them, when the sons of Israel lacked the abundance they would have had, their enemies rejoiced;
6 By the same things they in their need were benefited.	6 yet though water, when they were in need, it turned out well for them.
7 For instead of a fountain of an ever running river, thou gavest human blood to the unjust.	7 For instead of a fountain, even everlasting in flow, you gave human blood to the unjust,
8 And whilst they were diminished for a manifest reproof of their murdering the infants, thou gavest to thine abundant water unlooked for:	8 and while they would be crushed into disgrace because of the murdering of infants, you unexpectedly gave your own abundant water,
9 Shewing by the thirst that was then, how thou didst exalt thine, and didst kill their adversaries.	9 revealing through the thirst, which occurred at that time, how you would exalt your own and would kill their adversaries.
10 For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they knew how the wicked were judged with wrath and tormented.	10 For when they were being tested, and even when receiving merciful correction, they knew in what way, when your wrath judged the impious, they would suffer torments.
11 For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn.	11 For these, advising like a father, you approved; but the others, interrogating like a severe king, you condemned.
12 For whether absent or present, they were tormented alike.	12 For whether absent or present, they were tortured alike.
13 For a double affliction came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past.	13 For they had received double: weariness and groaning in the remembrance of things past.
14 For when they heard that by their punishments the others were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the end of what was come to pass.	14 For when they paid attention to their punishments, to attend to their own benefit, they called to mind the Lord, admiring the end result.
15 For whom they scorned before, when he was thrown out at the time of his being wickedly exposed to perish, him they admired in the end, when they saw the event: their thirsting being unlike to that of the just.	15 For though they showed scorn by throwing out distorted statements, in the end they were amazed at the result, but this is not the same as thirsting for justice.
16 But for the foolish devices of their iniquity, because some being deceived worshipped dumb serpents and worthless beasts, thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb beasts for vengeance.	16 For according to the thinking of their irrational iniquity, because some, going astray, were worshiping mute serpents and worthless beasts, you sent upon them a multitude of mute beasts for vengeance,
17 That they might know that by what things a man sinneth, by the same also he is tormented.	17 so that they might know that by whatever things a man sins, by the same also is he tormented.
18 For thy almighty hand, which made the world of matter without form, was not unable to send upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,	18 For it was not impossible for your all-powerful hand, which created the world from unknown material, to send forth upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,
19 Or unknown beasts of a new kind, full of rage: either breathing out a fiery vapour, or sending forth a stinking smoke, or shooting horrible sparks out of their eyes:	19 or, in anger, beasts of a new kind, massive and strange, either breathing out a fiery vapor, or sending forth an odorous smoke, or shooting horrible sparks from their eyes;
20 Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.	20 whereby, not only wounds would be able to destroy them, but also the very sight would kill them through fear.
21 Yea and without these, they might have been slain with one blast, persecuted by their own deeds, and scattered by the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure, and number, and weight.	21 Yet, even without these, they could have been killed with one breath, suffering persecution of their own making and being scattered by your spirit of virtue; but you have ordered all things in size and number and weight.
22 For great power always belonged to thee alone: and who shall resist the strength of thy arm?	22 Though many are strong, you alone always overcome. And who will withstand the strength of your arm?
23 For the whole world before thee is as the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew, that falleth down upon the earth:	23 For, like a tiny grain on a scale, just so is the world before you, and like a drop dew before dawn, which descends upon the earth.
24 But thou hast mercy upon all, because thou canst do all things, and overlookest the sins of men for the sake of repentance.	24 But you are merciful to all, because you can do all, and you dismiss the sins of man because of repentance.
25 For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made: for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it.	25 For you love all things that are, and you hate nothing of the things you have made; for you would not have created or established anything that you hated.
26 And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee.	26 For how could anything endure, except by your will? Or what, having been called by you not to exist, would be preserved?
27 But thou sparest all: because they are thine, O Lord, who lovest souls.	27 Yet you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord, who loves souls.