Wisdom 10:1-11

1 Wisdom protected the father of the world, the first man that was ever formed, when he alone had been created. She saved him from his own sinful act 1
2 and gave him the strength to master everything on earth.
3 But there was an unrighteous man who abandoned Wisdom; he destroyed himself by killing his brother in a fit of anger. 2
4 Because of that sin, the earth was flooded, but Wisdom saved it again. She guided a righteous man in his flimsy wooden boat. 3
5 Once when the nations were frustrated in their wicked plans, Wisdom recognized a righteous man and kept him innocent in God's sight. She gave him strength to obey God's command in spite of his love for his son. 4
6 Wisdom rescued a righteous man while ungodly people were dying. He escaped the flames that destroyed the Five Cities. 5
7 You can still see the evidence of their wickedness. The land there is barren and smoking. The plants bear fruit that never ripens, and a pillar of salt stands as a monument to one who did not believe.
8 The people of those cities ignored Wisdom and could not tell right from wrong. Not only that, but the remains of their cities still remind us of the foolish way they lived, so that their failure can never be forgotten.
9 But Wisdom rescued her servants from the danger.
10 A righteous man once had to escape from his brother's anger, and Wisdom guided him in the right way. She showed him God's kingdom and allowed him to know about holy things. She made him prosperous and successful in his work. 6
11 When others were greedy for what he had, and wanted to take it away from him, Wisdom stood by him and made him rich.

Cross References 6

  • 1. 10.1,Genesis 1.26-28.
  • 2. 10.3Genesis 4.8-13.
  • 3. 10.4Genesis 7.1--8.22.
  • 4. 10.5Genesis 11.1-9; 12.1-3; 22.1-19.
  • 5. 10.6-9Genesis 19.1-29.
  • 6. 10.10-12Genesis 27.43; 28.10-22; 32.24-30.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. holy things; [or] angels.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.