962

WISDOM

In the last centuries before Christ, Greek culture, spread by Alexander, penetrated into
the countries of the Middle East (see introduction to Maccabees). The Greeks had a new
way of viewing the freedom of the individual and nobility of spirit. They promoted
scientific research and esteemed highly physical beauty, etc.
The Jews had to be open to this new way of thinking: when a people encloses itself
in its national culture, without looking beyond it, it ends up being asphyxiated. Their
culture was intimately linked to the words of God they had received for centuries, but the
revelation of God was not finished and could no longer enclose itself within the molds of
Hebraic culture.
The Book of Wisdom is the first important effort to express the faith and wisdom of
Israel, not only in Greek, but also in a form adapted to Greek culture.
It gives an answer to the crucial questions of evil, pain and death; it sketches a proof
of the existence of God that will inspire Paul and shows that God’s mercy extends to all
beings without exception.
Note especially the magnificent chapters 3–5 concerning the death of the just and hope
in eternal life and also the hymn to wisdom in chapter 7.
The Book of Wisdom was written in Egypt between 80 and 50 before Christ by one
of the many Jews who were living in the Greek world. It is one of the deuterocanonical
books: see p. 887.

Seek life; know God 6

Wisdom is a spirit, a friend to man, Pro
8:31
• 1 and will not leave the blasphemous un- Tit
Mt Love justice, you who rule over
6:33 1 the world. Think rightly of God,
punished, because God knows his in- 3:4

nermost feelings, truly sees his

Is seek him with simplicity of heart, 2 for
55:6 thoughts and hears what he says.
65:1 he reveals himself to those who do not 7
Jer For God’s spirit has filled the whole Jer
challenge him and is found by those 23:24
29:13
world and he who holds together all Ps
Pro who do not distrust him. 139:
8:17
3
things, knows each word that is spo- 7-12
Crooked thinking distances you ken. 8 So whoever speaks unjustly will
from God, and his Omnipotence, put not escape; the irrefutable sentence will
to the test, confounds the foolish. reach him. 9 The intentions of the un-
4
Rom Wisdom does not enter the wicked holy will be examined; what he has said
7:4
8:2 nor remain in a body that is enslaved to will reach the Lord and his wickedness
sin. 5 The Holy Spirit who instructs us will be confounded.
10
shuns deceit; it keeps aloof from fool- Remember that a jealous ear hears
ishness and is ill at ease when injustice everything; even whispers are re-
is done. corded.
 963 WISDOM 2
11 2
Ex Beware then, of empty complaints By chance we were born; when life Ps
15:24 102:4
Ps and keep your tongue from faultfind- is over, it will be as if we never existed.
78:19
ing, since your most secret word will The breath in our nostrils is like a puff
have consequences; a lying tongue of smoke, and thought is no more than
brings death to the soul. 12 Do not bring a spark resulting from the movement of
about your own death by your wrong the heart. 3 Put this out and the body
way of living. And do not let the work turns to ashes, the spirit melts away
of your hands destroy you. like idle air.
4
13
God did not make death, nor does In time our name will be forgotten,
he rejoice in the destruction of the liv- no one will remember what we did.
5
Ezk ing. 14 Since he has created everything, Life passes like the shadow of a cloud, Ecl
18:23, 6:12
32 all creatures of the universe are for our disappears like mist chased by the sun
good; there is no deadly poison in them and overpowered by its heat. Our days
and the netherworld has no dominion are like the passing of a shadow; from
over the earth, 15 because immortal is death there is no turning back, the seal
not submitted to death. is set: no one returns.
6 Is
Come then and enjoy all the good 22:13
The godless say there is no other life
things; let us use creation with the zest 1Cor
15:32
• 16 It
is the godless that consider of youth, 7 making the most of choicest
Is
28:15
Pro death a friend and call for it in every wines and perfumes and not passing by
8:36 way. They have made a pact with it and any flower of spring. 8 Let us crown
they shall justly belong to it. ourselves with rosebuds before they
fade.
9
Job
1
Led by mistaken reasons they Let everyone take part in our orgy;
14:1 2 think, “Life is short and sad and let us post everywhere the signs of our
there is no cure for death. It was never joy, for that is our due, the lot assigned Ex
heard that anyone came back from the to us. 22:21
10
netherworld. Let us oppress the upright man

• 1.1 God is more present to us than we are Let us see the truth of what he says. Because
to ourselves. We need not look very far for the godless are the friends of death, they neces-
authentic wisdom: it appears as spirit coming sarily come to persecute and even kill the good.
from God that becomes present to us interiorly For them it is like a game to prove to what extent
but is only revealed to the just. the righteous can remain firm, since they them-
How can we express the nearness of the selves believe in nothing. They need to destroy
inaccessible and holy God? Here the author others to convince themselves that they alone
speaks of Providence, Wisdom, Justice, the benefit from life.
Spirit of God. He speaks of them as if they were If the righteous is a son of God, God will
persons sent by God to look after us. In fact, it is defend him. The words in 2:16-20 reveal the
a way of presenting God himself who, though he situation of Jesus on the cross. Matthew, in
preserves his mystery, is close to people and to particular, will recall them in 27:43.
events.
God did not make death nor does he rejoice This is also verified in the lives of real believers,
in the destruction of the living. His creation is a scandal to a materialist who enjoys inflicting
good and at the service of humankind. Death suffering on those who make sacrifices for oth-
does not come from God as is explained in 2:23, ers. We have seen comfortable “Christians”
but rather from the envy of the devil. So, we are rejoicing over the death of those who speak of
asked to look confidently to the Lord: to think justice and who, by their involvement, disturb the
well of him is to deny all these false questions: conscience of the satisfied.
Why does God allow evil, death, earthquakes The mentality of the godless who do not
and tragedies? God wants only life. believe in the hereafter is, in some way, very
much like that of the society in which we live. Let
• 16. By chance we were born. The “impi- us set a trap for the righteous for he opposes
ous,” meaning those who have freed themselves our way of life. Secretly we all admire an upright
from the law of God and their conscience, are person, but in any institution, her presence
friends of death since they do not know true life. disturbs us – in the unions just as in the factories
For them wisdom consists in profiting from life: – because we cannot buy her conscience.
let us enjoy the good things now. He does not live like others and behaves
 WISDOM 2 964

who is poor, and have no thought for 21

This is the way they reason, but
the widow, or respect for the white hair they are mistaken, blinded by their
of old age. malice. 22 They do not know the mys-
Jer
11
Let our strength be our right, since teries of God nor do they hope for the
11:19 it is proved that weakness is useless. reward of a holy life; they do not believe
20:10
Mt
12
Let us set a trap for the righteous, for that the blameless will be recom-
26:3-
4 he annoys us and opposes our way of pensed. Gen
1:26
Jn
5:16,
life; he reproaches us for our breaches 23
Indeed God created man to be im- 2P
1:4
18 of the Law and accuses us of being mortal in the likeness of his own nature, Jn
Mt
11:27 false to our upbringing. 24
but the envy of the devil brought 8:44
Rom
Lk
22:70
13
He claims knowledge of God and death to the world, and those who take 5:12

calls himself son of the Lord. 14 He has his side shall experience death.
become a reproach to our way of think- Dt
The just will live with God
ing; even to meet him is burdensome to 33:3
Is
• 1
The souls of the just are in the
us. 15 He does not live like others and
Mt behaves strangely.
3 hands of God and no torment shall
51:16
Jn
10:28
5:11
Jn
16
According to him we have low touch them.
5:18 2
standards, so he keeps aloof from us as In the eyes of the unwise they ap-
if we were unclean. He emphasizes the pear to be dead. Their going is held as a
happy end of the righteous and boasts disaster; 3 it seems that they lose every-
of having God as father. thing by departing from us, but they are
Ps 17
Let us see the truth of what he says in peace.
22:9 4
Mt and find out what his end will be. 18 If the Though seemingly they have been
27:43
righteous is a son of God, God will punished, immortality was the soul of Rom
8:18
defend him and deliver him from his their hope. 5 After slight affliction will 2Cor
4:17
Is adversaries. come great blessings, for God has tried
53:7
Mt
19
Let us humble and torture him to them and found them worthy to be with Pro
17:3
26:67-
68 prove his self-control and test his pa- him; 6 after testing them as gold in the Ps
17:3
tience. 20 When we have condemned furnace, he has accepted them as a
Dn
him to a shameful death, we may test holocaust. 12:3
7 Mt
his words.” At the time of his coming they will 13:43

strangely. When this was written the Jews were means the breath of a person, that is to say, the
not well-thought-of by pagans because of all the life in him which disappears at death. Now, the
things in their lives that were different from the soul means the person who does not die when
pagan customs. The same is true now, as well; the body does.
even though believers try not to be distinct, their Their going is held as a disaster. Whether the
integrity and enthusiasm make them “strange.” just die in the hands of violent people, or natu-
Those who stand with death experience rally die as we all do, the end of their lives seems
death. Those who do evil begin to experience to contradict God’s goodness. It is a scandal that
death. There is a physical wearing down caused death can overcome the just. (We know that the
by vice (alcoholism, licentiousness), but there is just are those who fulfill the hopes that God
an even greater deterioration of enthusiasm, placed in them.) It is only the body which dies.
generosity and trust. “The person who sows for They are alive before God as Jesus will also state
the benefit of his own flesh shall reap corruption (Lk 20:38).
and death from the flesh” (Gal 6:8). See also But they are in peace. They will forever enjoy
Romans 6:21. what they hoped for here on earth. That is to say,
we only see one side of death: we shall never
The text considers what Jesus will do; that know how everyone experienced his departure,
behind a mass of evils that tear humanity, and even less how he awakened in God’s world.
behind our disbelief there is a presence of “the At the time of judgment we will see that the just
Enemy” (see Mt 13:39; Heb 2:14-15). are the only ones who have been truly alive. The
death of the friends of God brings peace to those
• 3.1 The souls of the just are in the hands who were at their side. Through their death the
of God. This is the great revelation in this book. martyrs bring the triumph of the cause for which
In the previous books of the Bible, the soul only they lived.
 965 WISDOM 4
Dn
7:27 shine like sparks that run in the stubble. die young and the offspring of an un-
Ps 8 They will govern nations and rule over lawful union disappear.
149:7
17
1Cor peoples, and the Lord will be their king If they live long, they count for
6:2
Rev forever. nothing and are finally despised in their
5:10 9
20:4 Those who trust in him will pen- old age. 18 If they die young, it is without
1Cor etrate the truth, those who are faithful hope, and they cannot comfort them-
13:12
1Jn will live with him in love, for his grace selves with thinking of the Judgment. Sir
3:2 16:4
and mercy are for his chosen ones. 19
Cruel is the fate of an evil race.
10
But the godless who have ignored Sir
16:3
the upright and deserted the Lord, will 1
Better to have no children and to be
meet the punishment their evil
4 virtuous. People like this are highly con-
sidered by God and by mortals. The memory
thoughts deserve. of their life will never end.
11
Unhappy are those who put no 2
When virtue is present we imitate it; when
value on wisdom and instruction, their it is absent we long for it; it is crowned in
Sir
hope is vain, their efforts useless, their eternity for having triumphed in the blame-
41:5 Sir
less struggle.
work without profit; 12 their wives are 3
The numerous progeny of the wicked will
23:25
40:15
foolish, their children evil, their poster- be of no use. Offspring of doubtful plants,
Ps
ity cursed. they will not have deep roots or lay solid 58:10
foundations. 4 For a time they may produce,
Is A truly fruitful life but their weak branches shaken by the wind
54:1
• 13 Happy will be uprooted by the storm. 5 Their twigs
the childless wife if she is will be broken off before grown, their fruit
blameless and has not been guilty of useless, unripe for eating and good for noth-
adultery; she will be found fruitful on ing. 6 Children born of unlawful intercourse
Is witness, when God examines them, to the
56:3-
the day of judgment. wrongdoing of their parents.
14
7 And happy the impotent man who
• 7 The
upright, even if he dies before
has done no evil or harbored resentful
thoughts against the Lord. His fidelity his time, will be at rest. 8 Honorable age
will be richly rewarded with a special does not depend on length of days, nor
place in the Lord’s heavenly sanctuary. is the number of years a true measure
15
The toil of the righteous bears of life.
9
choice fruit; and wise discernment is a A man’s gray hair is understanding,
Gen
tree that does not wither. and a spotless life is ripe old age. 5:24
16 10 Heb
But the children born of adultery The upright was pleasing to God, 11:5

• 13. Happy the childless wife if she is virginity to God and so, for Christians, she is the
blameless. In the Bible we always find praise of model of a virginity consecrated to God and with
the fruitful life, of a couple having several chil- its own form of fruitfulness.
dren and raising them to be fully human (see Ps
127 and 128). Here the question is revised: what • 4.7 “Why did God take him? My husband
is a fruitful life? In Israel, being without children was such a good man.” A word that is often
was seen as God’s punishment and the Law heard. No mortal accident can prevent God from
excluded eunuchs (or castrated men) from reli- giving all that he wished to each one. God has
gious worship. Yet one of the prophets took an given some of us the grace to grow more quickly
opposite view (see Is 56:4). and to reach in a few years the perfection that
Better to have no children and to be virtuous others only achieve after many years.
(4:1). Here we have the revelation of another The upright was pleasing to God who loved
way of being fruitful: seeking perfection. We him. The wife or the son whom God took did not
know of childless couples and of single women belong to us. A strong bond of love between
who channeled their capacity for love and sur- them and us developed with countless circum-
render toward others and succeeded in having stances and memories, but a stronger love united
spiritual children and family. A fruitful life is one them to the Lord who reserved them for himself.
spent for others or for God. When these lines Since he was living among sinners, God
were written, there were Jews going to the took him (see Gen 5:24). This is another answer
desert to form religious communities of single to the premature death of our children: Who
men, in order to pray and to hurry the coming of knows what they would have done with their
the Savior. Years later, Mary will dedicate her lives? God knows best what suits everyone.
 WISDOM 4 966

who loved him, and since he was living fulfilled early in youth condemns the
among sinners, he was taken up. 11 God endless days of the wicked.
17
removed him lest evil impair his under- They may see the death of the
standing and treachery seduce his wise, but they will not understand God’s
soul. 12 For the fascination of evil ob- design for him and why he has taken Pro
1:26
scures true values and restless desire him to safety. 18 They may see and Ps
37:13
undermines a simple heart. sneer at him, but the Lord will also
13
Though his life soon ended, he laugh at them 19 when they have be-
traveled far. 14 Because his soul was come a useless corpse, a loathsome
precious to the Lord, he was quickly and dead thing forever.
removed from the wickedness around The Lord will dash them to the
Is
57:1
him. ground, voiceless, shaking them from
15
People saw but did not under- their foundations; they will wither and
stand, and it did not occur to them that suffer anguish; even their memory will
God’s grace and mercy are with his fade.
20 Mt
chosen ones, his protection is for the They will come trembling for the
holy. reckoning of their sins and they will be
16
The righteous who dies will con- confounded when confronted with their
demn the ungodly who survives. A life wickedness.

Judgment on the just and on the godless

13:43
• 1
Then the just man will stand with confidence
Ps
5 facing those who oppressed him,
89:6
making light of his labors.
2
Seeing him they will be seized with a terrible fear,
amazed to find him unexpectedly saved.
Stricken with remorse
and distress, 3 they will groan and say,
4
“He is the one we mocked,
the one we reproached, fools that we were!
We considered his life foolishness,
and his death, the supreme humiliation,

• 5.1 The prophets spoke of God’s judg- and meanness. We will see ourselves in our
ment on many occasions, referring to a judg- nakedness and God the Father, the Lord and
ment on earth in which God would repay the Knower of all, will reward or punish us. Then the
sinner nations and groups, and redress human wicked will see clearly that their lives were
history. empty: scarcely born we have disappeared.
This paragraph now speaks to us of an indi- Before God convicts them, they will judge them-
vidual judgment after death. It insists especially selves: their own sins will accuse them (4:20).
on the case of martyrs: it must be said that during On the contrary, the upright will live forever;
this epoch the memory of believers persecuted the Most High has them in his care. We can
for their faith at the time of the Maccabees was compare this with the judgment parable in Mat-
still fresh. Let us not forget that if we can be at thew 25:31, with this difference that Jesus
the same time Christians and at peace, in many distinguishes between those who have looked
countries our brothers and sisters suffer and after their neighbors and those who have not,
often die, victims of persecutions about which whereas here the persecutors and the persec-
the media says little. uted face each other. They are facing one
How far have we wandered from the truth. another for judgment again after the wicked
On that day, we will not wear the mask we all triumphed over the just.
have on earth, a mask which hides our hypocrisy
967 WISDOM 5
5
but see: he is counted among the children of God Col
1:12
and is given his lot with the holy angels!
6
How far have we wandered from the truth! Is
58:8
The light of the upright did not enlighten us
nor did its sun rise for us.
7
We trod the paths of injustice and death,
traveling, more than enough,
through trackless deserts,
but we were unable to know the Lord’s ways.
8
What good has our pride been?
What profit in the wealth we boasted about? Job
9:25
9
All that has passed away like a shadow,
like a fleeting rumor.
10
Like a ship cutting the sea,
leaving no trace of its course,
and the mark of its keel – not seen in its wake;
11
like a bird flying across the sky
leaving no trace of its flight;
it beats the light air with its pinions,
cleaving a way by the force of its wings
but without a sign of its passing;
12
or like an arrow shot at a target,
with the displaced air closing in on itself
and no one knowing what way it passed.
13
It is the same for us; scarcely born we have disappeared.
What sign of virtue are we able to show,
spent as we are in our own wickedness?” Is
14 29:5
The hope of the godless is like chaff blown in the wind, Ps
1:4
like a light frost melted in the storm,
like smoke dispersed by the wind;
it fades like the memory of a guest of a single day. Is
15 62:11
But the upright live forever,
their reward is with the Lord,
and the Most High has them in his care. Is
16 28:5
This is why they receive, from the hands of the Lord,
a royal crown, a splendid diadem.
He will shelter them with his hand
and his arm will be their shield. Is
17 59:17
God’s jealous love will display his weapon;
he will arm all creation to punish his enemies.
18
He will put on justice as his breastplate Is
30:27
and right judgment as his helmet,
19
invincible holiness will be his shield,
20
implacable anger his sword,
and the universe will march with him against the foolish.
 WISDOM 5 968
21
Well-aimed bolts of lightning will strike the rivers engulf them without mercy. 23 A 64:1
the target; the clouds will be a curved bow powerful wind will rise against them and blow
shooting arrows. them away like straw. In this way, lawless-
22
The hailstones of his fury will rain on ness will bring the whole earth to ruin, and
them, the ocean will rage against them and evildoing topple the thrones of the mighty.

NO TRUE WISDOM WITHOUT RELIGIOUS TRUTH

• 1 Listen, O kings, and understand; rul- 17
The beginning of Wisdom is a sincere
Sir
33:19
6 ers of the most distant lands, take warn- desire for discipline; concern for discipline is
Ps ing. 2 Pay attention, you who rule multitudes love of her, 18 and loving her means keeping
2:10 and boast of the numerous subjects in your her laws; 19 the observance of her laws as-
Dn pagan nations. sures one of immortality, and immortality
2:21 3
Jn For authority was given you by the Lord, brings us close to God.
19:11 your kingship is from the Most High who will 20
In this way the desire for Wisdom leads
Rom
13:1
examine your works and scrutinize your in- to kingship.
tentions. 21
So then, sovereigns of nations, you who
4
If, as officials of his kingdom, you have are fond of thrones and scepters, honor Wis-
not judged justly or observed his law or dom if you wish to reign forever.
walked the way God pointed out, 5 he will 22
What Wisdom is and how she came to
oppose you swiftly and terribly; his sentence be, I will tell you. I shall hide nothing from you,
strikes the mighty suddenly. but trace her from the beginning and clearly
6
For the lowly there may be excuses and make her known.
pardon, but the great will be severely pun- 23
I will not mislead you and hide the truth,
Job
34:17- ished. for I am free of gnawing envy which has
7
19 For the Lord of all makes no distinc- nothing in common with Wisdom. Pro
tion, nor does he take account of greatness. 24
29:4
The multitude of the wise could bring
Both great and lowly are his work and he
about the salvation of the world and a sen-
watches over all, 8 but the powerful are to be
sible king makes for the stability of his
judged more strictly.
9 people; 25 so learn from what I say and profit
It is to you then, sovereigns, that I speak,
from it.
that you may learn Wisdom and not stumble. Job
10
For those who keep the holy laws in a 10:11
1 Ps
holy way will be acknowledged holy, and I, too, am a mortal man like others, a
those who accept the teaching will find in it
7 descendant of the first human being
139:
15
their defense. formed from clay. My flesh was molded in a
11
Welcome my words, desire them and mother’s womb; 2 her blood formed me for
they will instruct you. ten months from the seed of man, given in
12
Wisdom is luminous and never tar- pleasure, the companion of sleep.
3
nished; she willingly lets herself be seen by Once born, I breathed the air common to
Pro everyone; I fell on the earth, the same for all;
8:17 those who love her, and known by those who
Pro look for her. 13 She hastens to meet those who my first cry was like that of other infants.
4
1:21 long for her. 14 Seek her in the morning and I was nourished, cared for and wrapped in
Sir you will not be disappointed; you will find her swaddling clothes; 5 indeed, no other king
4:12
sitting at your door. began life differently. 6 For there is but one
15
To meditate on Wisdom is understand- way into life for all and one way out of it.
1Jn 1K
4:10
ing fully grown; whoever is on the watch for 3:4-
I prayed and wisdom was given to me
her will be free of anxiety. 16 She goes in 12
search of those who are worthy of her, gra- • 7 I prayed and understanding was given Sir
47:12-
ciously meets them on the way and is present to me; I asked earnestly and the spirit of 17
in their every thought. Wisdom came to me.

• 6.1 Here begins the “discourse to the kings ber that at this time sovereign rulers would
about wisdom.” As we said in the introduction of “espouse” such and such divinity which allowed
Ecclesiastes, it was common to attribute the them at times to take possession, in the name of
books of wisdom to Solomon. This can also be their spouse, of the treasures in its temple (2 Mac
seen in this book: the author pretends to be 1:14). Seeking the Wisdom of God is no different
Solomon and puts the words about wisdom on from what we do when we speak of union with
Solomon’s lips. Christ: we must not forget that he is uncreated
Wisdom. This communion is not a matter of
• 7.7 All this page is an invitation to seek something sentimental: it is the costly and never-
Wisdom as one would seek a spouse: we remem- ending search for the one who is the Truth.
 969 WISDOM 8
8
I preferred her to scepters and thrones In her is a spirit that is intelligent,
and I considered wealth as nothing compared saintly, unique, manifold, subtle, ac-
with her.
9
I preferred her to any jewel of inestimable tive, concise, pure and lucid. It cannot
value, since gold beside her is nothing but a corrupt, loves what is good and nothing Jas
3:17
few grains of sand, and silver but mud. 10 I can restrain it; 23 it is beneficent, loving
loved her more than wealth and beauty and
even preferred her to light, because her radi- humankind, steadfast, dependable,
ance never dies. calm though almighty. It sees every-
11
She brought with her all other good thing and penetrates all spirits, how-
things, untold riches in her hands. 12 I rejoiced ever intelligent, subtle and pure they
at all that came with Wisdom without know-
ing she was their mother. may be.
24
13
What I learned without self-interest I Wisdom, in fact, surpasses in mo-
Lk
12:33 share freely and with no desire to conceal her bility all that moves, and being so pure
value; 14 for she is an inexhaustible treasure pervades and permeates all things. Sir
for man and those who possess her have 25
24:3
gained the friendship of God, commended to She is a breath of the power of
him by the fruits of her discipline. God, a pure emanation of the glory of
15
May God grant me to speak with dis- the Almighty; nothing impure can enter Jn
1:9
cernment and reflect in a way worthy of the
Ps
gifts I have received, for he is the guide of her. 26 She is a reflection of eternal light, Col
1:15
31:6
Wisdom and the corrector of the wise. 16 For a spotless mirror of God’s action and an Heb
1:3
we are in God’s hands, we ourselves, our image of his goodness.
words, our understanding and technical 27
She is but one, yet Wisdom can do Ps
knowledge. 102:
17
He, in fact, has given me true knowledge all things and, herself unchanging, she 27
104:
of what is, of the world and the properties of renews all things. She enters holy 30
the elements; 18 the beginning, the end and souls, making them prophets and
the times in between; the alternation of the friends of God, 28 for God loves only
1K
4:33 solstices and the succession of the seasons;
19
the cycles of the year and the position of the those who live with Wisdom.
29
stars; 20 the natures of animal species and the She is indeed more beautiful than
ways of wild beasts; the power of spirits and the sun and surpasses all the constella- Jn
human reasoning; the varieties of plants and 1:5
medicinal properties of roots. tions; she outrivals light, 30 for light 16:33
gives way to night, but evil cannot pre-
The reflection of eternal light
vail against Wisdom.
Heb • 21 I
have come to know everything Sir
1:2-3 1
Wisdom displays her strength from one 15:2
we see and everything hidden, 22 be- 8 end of the earth to the other, ordering all
cause Wisdom, who designed them all, things rightly.
taught me. 2
I loved her and sought her from my

I preferred her to any jewel of inestimable could have been better, and it is good if in a
value. See Mt 13:44-45. concrete way nothing better could have been
accomplished.
• 21. See commentary of Proverbs 8:22: it is Evil cannot prevail against Wisdom. The
the same theme. Wisdom comes from God: it is Christian, rooted in God’s word, brings light
the same Wisdom that gives order to the universe where darkness ruled: he must be present and
and which is the presence of God in us – his active, without fear of such involvement, wher-
presence, as always, through his Son. ever problems of his country, his work, his daily
Nothing impure can enter her. Note the life are being decided. Light and justice will
optimism found in this description. Because she triumph and renew the face of the world.
is “holy and pure” the wisdom of God penetrates She enters holy souls, making them proph-
everything, even what is impure and imperfect, ets and friends of God. It was said in 2:24 that
enlightening our slow and limited spirit. The the devil corrupted creation by introducing
Jews of the time learned from the Law that they death. Now, the Wisdom of God overcomes the
had to remain “clean” and stay away from all that ravage of death.
is “unclean”: for example, when two people She is a pure emanation of the Glory of the
touched each other, the unclean person con- Almighty. For the Hebrews “glory“ was some-
taminated the other (see Lev 11:1; and Hg thing “heavy,” something that imposes itself and
2:11). Here, it is the wisdom of God that over- is not pure appearance. In the language of the
comes darkness and impurity (see Eph 5:13). Greeks, “glory” becomes what is radiant: the
Nothing is absolutely bad in itself: it is bad if it radiance of God in the universe, and still more
 WISDOM 8 970

youth; I strove to have her as my bride for I child and 20 was good-natured or rather, be-
had fallen in love with her beauty. ing good, I had entered an undefiled body.
21
3
Her nearness to God tells of her noble But knowing that I could only possess
birth. Because the Lord of all has loved her, Wisdom if she were given me by God – it was
4
she is instructed in God’s knowledge and a mark of intelligence to know who was the
chooses his works. donor – I turned to the Lord and implored him,
5
If we desire riches in life, what is richer saying with all my heart:
than Wisdom who is the active cause of
Give me your wisdom 1K
everything? 6 If the intellect shows itself in 3:6-9
action, still more does she who fashions • 1
God of our fathers and Lord of Sir
everything. 7 If you love righteousness, every 9 mercy, whose word has created
42:15

virtue is the fruit of her labor, for she teaches

temperance, prudence, justice, fortitude – all everything and 2 who in Wisdom formed Gen
1:28
that is most valuable in life. man to govern your creation, 3 to rule
8
If someone is eager for experience, she the world in holiness and justice, pass-
knows what took place in the past and fore- ing sentence with right judgment,
casts the future. She has the art of interpreta- 4
tion and knows how to solve riddles, she give me Wisdom that sits beside
foresees signs and wonders, the end of ages your throne and do not reject me from
and eras. among your children. Ps
9
This is why I decided to have her as 5
For I am your servant, son of your
116:
16
companion for life, knowing she would be a
wise counselor and encourage me in times of handmaid, a weak and mortal man with
1K
3:7
worry and distress. little understanding of judgment and
10
I thought: With her I shall have glory laws. 6 Even the most perfect among us
1K
3:16-
among the nations and, although young, counts for nothing, unless he has re-
28 honor among the elderly; 11 I shall be found
penetrating in judgment and be admired by ceived Wisdom that comes from you.
7
the powerful. You have chosen me as king for
12
If I am silent they will wait to hear me; if your people, as judge over your sons
I speak, they will pay attention; though I
speak at length they will put their hand on
and daughters. 2S
7:13
8
Sir
their lips. You have ordered me to build a
39:9
13
Thanks to her I shall win immortality, temple on your holy mountain and an
and to those who come after me I shall leave altar in the city where you live, in imita-
an everlasting memory.
14
tion of the holy Tent that was yours
I shall govern peoples, and nations will
be subject to me. 15 Terrible sovereigns will from the beginning.
9
cower when they hear of my name, but to my With you is Wisdom that knows
people I shall show myself kind; in battle, your works, that was present when you
courageous.
16 made the world and is aware of what is
When I come home I shall take my rest
with her, for there is nothing bitter in her pleasing in your eyes and what is right
company and no suffering in sharing life with according to your commandments.
her, only pleasure and joy. 10
Send her from the holy heavens,
17
Pondering over all this, I understood that dispatch her from your holy throne to
I would achieve immortality by being united
to Wisdom; 18 I would have pure delight work beside me so that I may know
through friendship with her, inexhaustible what is pleasing to you.
riches in what she does, understanding from 11
For she knows and understands
being in her company and renown from shar-
ing her conversation. Then I set out to seek
everything; she will direct my actions
and possess her. with prudence and protect me with her
19
I had a pleasant personality even as a power.
“on the face of Christ” (2 Cor 4:6). Wisdom, heart. To those who cooperate with him, God
mirror of God’s activity and image of his perfec- grants uprightness, prudence and even the au-
tion, is Christ, as Paul says in Col 1:5; Heb 1:3; thority to lead God’s people. Abraham and
John calls Christ “Word of God” (see Jn 1:1). Moses were called to do great things.
See also introduction to Ephesians. This prayer refers to the event related in 1
Kings 3:6: the dream in which Solomon asked
• 9.1 The necessary condition for acquiring God for wisdom.
wisdom consists in having a humble and simple
 971 WISDOM 10
12 16
Then my deeds will please you, We are barely able to know about
and I shall judge your people in justice the things of earth and it is a struggle to
and be worthy of the throne of my fa- understand what is close to us; who
Rom ther. then may hope to understand heavenly
11:34 13
1Cor Indeed, who can know the inten- things? Mt
2:16 17 11:27
tions of God? Who can discern the plan Who has ever known your will un-
of the Lord? less you first gave him Wisdom and
14
For human reasoning is timid, our sent down your holy spirit to him? Bar
4:4
18
notions misleading; 15 a perishable In this way you directed the human
Is body is a burden for the soul and our race on the right path; they learned
55:9
Jn
tent of clay weighs down the active what pleases you and were saved by
3:12 mind. Wisdom.

THE WISDOM OF GOD WORKS IN HISTORY

• 1
Wisdom protected the father land, a smoking waste, witnesses to 2P
10 of the world, the first man to be their perversity, for plants there bear 2:6-8

formed, who was created alone. 2 She unripe fruit and a pillar of salt stands
delivered him from his fault and gave as a monument to an unbelieving wo-
Gen him power to govern all things. man.
4:8- 8
13
3
When a violent man turning in an- For having ignored Wisdom, not
Gen ger strayed from Wisdom, he perished only were they kept from knowing what
7-8
in his fratricidal fury. 4 Because of the is good, but their ruins were left as a
violent man, the earth was submerged monument to their foolishness so that
by the flood, but Wisdom again saved it their failure might never be forgotten.
9
by piloting an upright man on a frail But Wisdom rescued her servants Gen
28:10-
Gen
12:1-
piece of wood. from their trials. 10 Along straight paths 22
5
3 Again when the nations, united in she led the upright man who fled from
22:1-
19 evil, had been thrown into confusion, it his brother’s anger. She showed him
was Wisdom who singled out a right- God’s kingdom and let him know the
eous man, keeping him blameless be- holy angels; she made him prosperous Gen
31:23-
fore God and steadfast, despite his pity and successful in his toil. 11 Wisdom 29,
32
Gen for his child. stood by him against the greed of op-
19 6
It was she who, when the godless pressors and made him rich. Gen
12 32:25
perished, saved the righteous man and She protected him from his ene-
let him flee from the fire pouring down mies and saved him from the traps they
on the Five Cities. 7 To this day the arid set for him; with Wisdom he triumphed

• 10.1 The Wisdom of God is at work in time. She taught them to live in the now and to
world history. When an event takes place, we do discover in the present moment the resources
not usually judge its global value: only time and joys that God wanted to give them.
enables us to appreciate it. When we look at the In spite of the fact that, many times, they did
history of a people like the Israelites, we see that not see beyond the path to be traveled that day,
God had a plan which developed step by step, and their daily struggle against their own lies
even though the people were free and some- seemed useless, wisdom prepared their paths
times departed from God. Many elements are beforehand. One day they will understand how
involved in the realization of God’s plan: sin, their labors were joined with the labors of many
punishment, penance and forgiveness. other brothers and sisters to build the Future
She made him prosperous and successful in City.
his toil. This points more directly to Jacob. In verse 3, the reference is to Cain; in v. 4 to
Divine Wisdom taught their children the works Noah; in v. 5 to Abraham; in v. 6 to Lot; in v.
which were to bear fruit and be lasting; she also 10 to Jacob; in v. 13 to Joseph and in v. 16 to
showed them the thousand ways which waste Moses.
 WISDOM 10 972

in an arduous struggle, learning in this from hard flint, from a rocky cliff, a welcome
Gen way that nothing is as strong as piety. relief for the parched.
5
37-
13
The same creatures you used to punish
39 She did not abandon the righteous their enemies were of benefit to them in their
man when he was sold; still more she trouble.
6 Ex
kept him free from sin. 14 She went down For their enemies an ever-flowing source 1:15-
of river water was polluted with blood – 7 a 16
into the cistern with him; she did not stern response to the decree ordering the
leave him in chains, but made him the slaughter of infants. But, against all hope,
ruler of a kingdom, giving him authority you gave your people water in abundance,
8 Dt
showing them by the thirst they suffered,
over his oppressors. She denounced as how you had punished their enemies. 9 Their
8:2-5

liars those who accused him falsely and trials were no more than merciful reproofs.
gave him everlasting honor. Through them, your people learned how se-
15
It was she who rescued an inno- verely the wicked were judged and punished.
10
cent and holy people from a nation of You tested them as does a father, while
you examined their enemies like a stern king.
oppressors. 11
Their enemies suffered at the time and
16
She entered the soul of God’s ser- also later. 12 When they remembered the
vant and through him withstood terrible past, theirs was a double grief and groaning.
13
Ex kings with signs and wonders. They came to see that it was the work of the
13:21
17
Lord when they realized that their punish-
To the holy people she gave the ment had benefited the others.
wages of their labor, leading them in a 14
Long before, they had exposed Moses;
wonderful way, giving them shade dur- they had rejected him in derision; but now
ing the day and the light of the stars at they admired him because of what had hap-
pened, and after they had suffered a thirst far
Ex night. different from that of the righteous. Rom
14:21- 18 1:21
29 She brought them across the Red 15
Their wickedness and foolish ideas led
Sea, but drowned their enemies 19 and them astray, even to worshiping snakes and
other repugnant animals; this is why you sent
later washed them ashore from the them hordes of similar creatures, 16 teaching
Ex depth of the abyss. them that punishment takes the same form
15
20
So the righteous looted the god- as the sin.
17
less, singing hymns, Lord, to your holy In fact, your almighty power that created
the world from formless matter did not lack
Ps Name, and one in heart, they gave means to unleash upon them bears and sav- Job
8:3 41:10-
Mt thanks for your saving hand. 21 Wisdom age lions, 18 or monsters freshly created, un- 13
21:16 known and full of fury, breathing fire or noisily
gives speech to the dumb and makes
spitting smoke or flashing fearful sparks from
infants speak clearly. their eyes, 19 creatures not only capable of
• 1 Wisdom gave success to their ac- destroying them at a single blow but whose
11 tions through a holy prophet; 2 they
mere appearance could make them die of
fright.
crossed an uninhabited wilderness and
Is
pitched camp in inaccessible places. How God corrects his children 40:12
Ex 3
17:1 They stood up to their enemies and • 20 Even Job
fought off the hostile. 4 When they were thirsty without this, they could 28:25
they called on you and you gave them water have dropped dead at a single breath if

• 11.1 God’s love for his people reveals itself mankind if used with wisdom. All this can turn
when the very forces of nature serve to punish against us, when it is used without considering
the Egyptians and save the Hebrews. This is the goal God established for the world.
shown with seven illustrations: animals, locusts The passage from 11:5 to 15:19 is a long
and snakes, hail and manna, darkness and light, parenthesis contrasting God’s ways, as a friend
the firstborn, the sea (vv. 16-19). All this is and master of humans with the foolishness in the
amplified beyond measure and is not the part of worship of idols.
the book that touches us most.
The same creatures you used to punish their • 20. You ordered all with measure, num-
enemies were of benefit to them in their ber and weight. Because God’s power is abso-
trouble. This can be a lesson concerning the lute, it is never a manifestation of violence:
forces ruling our world today. Organization, beauty, harmony and goodness are never lack-
speed, technology, science, emancipation: all ing in all that comes from God.
these are instrumental in the liberation of hu-
 973 WISDOM 12

pursued by your justice, or dispersed were in their ways, 11 for it was a cursed race
by the breath of your might; but you from the beginning.
In any case, it was not through fear of
ordered all with measure, number and anyone that you left their sins unpunished. Job
9:12
weight. 12
For who dares say to you, “What have you Rom
21 done?” Who would dare to reject your sen- 9:19-
You are able to show your power at 23
tence? Who could reproach you for destroy-
Is any moment and who can resist the ing the nations you formed? Who would dare
40:15
strength of your arm? 22 For the entire rise against you in defense of the guilty? Dt
32:39
world lies before you, just enough to tip 13
For there is no other god besides you,
the scales, a drop of morning dew fall- one who cares for everyone, who could ask
you to justify your judgments; 14 there is no
Sir ing on the ground. other king or sovereign who could confront
18:12
23
But because you are almighty, you you and support those you punish.
15
are merciful to all; you overlook sins You are just and you rule all with justice;
Ps and give your children time to repent. had you condemned those who should not be
145:9 24 punished, you would have misused your
You love everything that exists and power.
hate nothing that you have made; had 16
Your strength is the source of your jus-
you hated anything, you would not tice and because you are the Lord of all, you
have formed it. can be merciful to everyone.
17
25
To those who doubt your sovereign
How could anything endure if you power you show your strength and you con-
did not will it? And how could anything found the insolence of those who ignore it.
18
last that you had not willed? 26 You have But you, the Lord of strength, judge with
prudence and govern us with great patience,
compassion on all because all is yours, because you are able to do anything at the
O Lord, lover of life. time you want.
19
In this way you have taught your people
1
In fact your immortal spirit is in that a righteous person must love his human
12 all. fellows; you have also given your people
cause for hope by prompting them to repent
2
And so by degrees you correct of their sin.
20
those who sin, you admonish them, For if you have been careful and patient
reminding them how they have strayed in punishing the enemies of your people
when they deserved to die, and have given
so that turning away from evil they may them a time and a place to turn from their
trust in you, Lord. wickedness, 21 with what strict attention have
you not judged your people, you who bound
3
So it happened with those who once lived yourself to our ancestors with oaths and
in your holy land. 4 You hated them because Mt
covenants full of magnificent promises. 5:7
of their detestable practices, their sorcery 22
Yes, you punish us, but you punish our 7:2
and unholy worship. 5 They were used to the enemies far more severely to teach us when
pitiless slaughter of children at the feasts in we judge others to remember your kindness,
which they ate human flesh and blood and and when we are judged to count on your
even bowels, while they fulfilled secret ritu- mercy.
Dt als. 23
20:16- Those who lived foolishly and wickedly,
6
18 Because these parents murdered their you tormented with their own abominations.
defenseless children, you wished our ances- 24
For they had strayed into error to the point
tors to destroy them, 7 and the land dearest to of choosing vile and disgusting animals as
you became the home of God’s children who gods, allowing themselves to be deceived
Ps
78:39
were worthy of it. like infants.
8
But you even showed mercy to these 25
And, as to children with no sense, you
sinners because they were human beings. sent them a punishment to mock them; 26 but
You sent hornets ahead of your army to if they took no warning from these correc-
Gen gradually destroy them. tions, they were soon to receive a punishment
9:25 9
You could have given the wicked over to worthy of God. 27 In their suffering they be-
the righteous in battle, or destroyed them in came indignant at those animals they had
one blow by means of savage beasts or with taken as gods and who were now used to
a harsh command; 10 but in punishng them punish them. Then they saw clearly, and
gradually you gave them time to repent. acknowledged as God, him whom before
Nevertheless you were aware of their evil they had refused to know. That is why they
nature, their innate malice and how fixed they suffered the supreme punishment.
 WISDOM 13 974
Ex Against those who worship images 15
He then makes a suitable niche for it in Bar
3:14 6:25-
Sir • 1 the wall and fastens it in place with iron nails. 27,
The natural helplessness of
17:8
Rom
1:19-
13 humans is seen in their ignorance
16
The craftsman is careful to keep it from
falling, knowing that it is unable to help itself.
57

It needs help because it is no more than an Jer

20 of God. The experience of good things 2:27
did not lead them to the knowledge of image.
17
Even so, when it is a matter of his
Him who is. They were interested in his marriage, his children and his household, the
works, but they did not recognize the man is not ashamed to pray to this lifeless 15:15
Ps
Dt object. He prays for his health to something
4:19 author of them. 115:
Job 2 without strength; 18 for life he prays to what is 4-7
31:26- Fire, wind, air, the sphere of the dead, for help he implores something insen-
28 stars, rushing water and the lights in the sitive, for a successful journey he has re-
sky were held as the rulers of the world. course to what cannot walk, 19 for his profit,
3
his concerns and success in his craft he asks
If, charmed by such beauty, they help of something that has no skill whatever
took them for gods, let them know how in its hands.
far superior is their sovereign. 4 And if 1
Imagine someone who is about to set
they were impressed by their power 14 sail and cross the raging sea. He calls
and activity, let them understand from upon a piece of wood far more fragile than the
this how much mightier is he who boat that carries him.
2
formed them. 5 For the grandeur and In fact, this boat has been built with gain
in mind and proceeds from the wisdom of the
beauty of creatures lead us to ponder shipwright. 3 But it is your providence, Fa-
on their Author, greater and more mag- ther, that guides it, for you are the one who
nificent. prepares a path through the sea and a safe
way over the waves. 4 By this we understand
6
No doubt these people are not to be that you are able to save us from any danger, Ps
blamed severely, for possibly they strayed 107:
and even the unskilled are able to sail. 29-
though they searched for God and desired to 5
People are the work of your wisdom and 30
find him. 7 They pondered over the created you do not want them to remain idle. So they
things that surrounded them and were capti- trust their lives to a small plank of wood and Gen
vated by the sight of such beauty. 6:1-4
cross the sea safe and sound on a raft. Bar
8
Even so they are not to be excused, 9 for 6
At the beginning of time when proud 3:26-
28
Dt if they were able to explore the world, why did giants perished, the hope of the world took
4:25- they not discover first the world’s Sovereign? refuge on a raft and, led by your hand, left to
28
Acts
10
But unhappy, indeed, are those people the world the seed of a new race. 7 Blessed be
17:29 who give to man-made artifacts the title of the wood by which salvation was carried out!
8
gods! Cursed is their hope in dead things, But cursed be the idol and its maker, the
objects worked in gold and silver, likenesses idol made by human hands, this corruptible
Is of animals, and even useless stones carved thing that is called a god, and the craftsman
40:20 long ago! for having fashioned it.
9
11
Take a woodcutter – he fells a tree that They are hateful to God, both the godless
is easy to move, expertly strips off all the bark and the fruit of his godlessness; 10 the maker Is
2:18
and with the wood makes a utensil needed in will be punished together with his work.
daily life; 12 he uses the bits left over as fuel for 11
Therefore the idols of the nations will
cooking his food and he has a good meal. also be judged. They have come to be the
13
Then he picks up an utterly useless left- most abominable among the creatures of
over piece, all gnarled and knotted, and God. They are a stumbling block to the spirit
carves it in his leisure time, using his profes- of man, and the feet of the foolish are caught Ex
34:16
sional skill to give it the shape of a man or in the snare.
14
maybe of a worthless animal. He covers it 12
The invention of idols was the origin of
with ochre and paints the surface red, cover- licentiousness; when they were invented, life
ing all its blemishes. became corrupt. 13 For in the beginning they

• 13.1 Materialists ignore God. The proud mountains remind them of the Perfect Being
believe they can achieve everything on their who created them; even more do the riches they
own. They use things as their own, without discover in their loved ones. Human intelligence
giving them a deeper meaning and without is meant to discover God who fills everything and
seeing them as gifts from God. is the end of everything. Paul will say something
Simple and humble people see the hand of very similar in Romans 1:19.
God in everything. The water, the wind, the
 975 WISDOM 15

did not exist and they will not exist forever. thing with mercy. 2 Even when we sin we
14
Human vanity introduced them into the belong to you and acknowledge your power, Jn
world, and God has set a term for them. but aware that we belong to you, we shall not 17:3
15
Suppose a father, overwhelmed by grief sin.
3
for a child so swiftly taken from him, has an To know you is perfect righteousness
image made of him. From that time on a dead and to acknowledge your power is the root of
creature will be honored as a god, because immortality.
4
the father handed on to his dependents secret So we have not been led astray by a
rites and celebrations. 16 Time will consoli- deceptive invention of human act – the sterile
date this unholy practice and eventually it will labor of painters – these idols daubed with
be observed by law. colors, 5 the sight of which stirs yearning in
It has also happened that sculptured im- fools attached to the lifeless face of a dead
ages were venerated by order of sovereigns. image.
6
17
Those who lived far away and were unable Really, idol-makers and those who serve
to honor them personally had copies made, and worship them are looking for disgrace
that they might honor them as if present by and deserve to have false hope.
means of their image. 7
The potter, laboriously working the soft
18
The ambition of the artist helped the clay, fashions each object for our use, and
Dn veneration grow among those who did not from the same clay he shapes vessels, some
3:1-7 even know the sovereign. 19 As he wished to for food, and others for what is thrown away. Gen
please his master, he made the portrait more The potter makes vessels for both clean and 3:19
attractive than reality, 20 and the people, se- unclean uses and decides to what purpose
Ex duced by the perfection of art work, began to each one is shaped. 8 The same way and from
3:14 worship someone previously honored as a the same clay he fashions a helpless god;
man. cursed labor of a man recently formed from
21
In this way the image became a pitfall for clay, who will shortly return to clay when he
Rom the living, for people bent down, either by is called to give up his soul.
1:21, misfortune or tyranny, gave to stones and 9
He has no thought of dying soon, no
24-
32 wood the incommunicable Name. thought of the short duration of life. None at
22
But it was not enough for them to err in all. He competes with those who work on
their knowledge of God; in the great trouble to silver and gold and, like the smith, he feels Gen
which ignorance condemned them, they proud to make a counterfeit of God. 2:7
have called such an evil situation peace. 10
Ashes, that is what his heart is; his hope
23
With the sacrificial murder of children in cheaper than dust; 11 his life worth as much as
their initiations, with secret mysteries and clay, for he has not acknowledged his Maker,
wild ceremonial orgies, 24 they no longer keep who has breathed into him an active soul, a
their lives and marriages pure; they treach- living spirit. 12 He looks on life as a game and
erously murder one another or wound others its duration a market full of bargains, for as he
through adultery. says, “A man must make the most of life
25
Everywhere it is a welter of blood, mur- whether by fair means or foul.”
der, fraud and theft, corruption, treachery, 13
For these, more than others, know that
riots, perjury; 26 on all sides harassment of they sin in fashioning with the same clay,
good people, forgetfulness of favors, the pol- vessels and sculptured gods. Ps
lution of souls and sins against nature, wide- 14
But utterly foolish and more pitiable 115:
4-7
spread disorder in marriage, adultery, de- than the soul of a newborn infant were the
bauchery. enemies that oppressed your people. 15 They
27
Indeed the worship of gods which do not received as gods all the idols of the nations –
even deserve a name, is the beginning, cause idols that have no eyes to see, no nostrils to
and effect of every evil. breathe the air, no ears to hear, no fingers to
28
Others delight in raving or uttering false feel with, or feet that are able to walk. For Ps
prophecies; they live wickedly and casually these gods are the work of a man, a creature 104:
perjure themselves. 29 As they deal with life- 29-
of borrowed breath made them. 30
less images, they do not fear any punishment 16
Man cannot even make a god that re-
for their false oaths, 30 but a double punish- sembles himself; 17 a mortal’s unholy hands
ment awaits them: as idolators for their base produce a dead god. He is, in fact, superior to
concept of God, as frauds for taking false what he worships, since he at least lives, but
oaths in defiance of all that is holy. they will never live.
31
Though the idols by which they swore 18
People worship the most repulsive ani-
Ex are powerless, justice that pursues sinners
34:6-
mals, the most stupid of all who, unlike other
7 always overtakes the sin of the wicked. animals, are devoid of beauty; 19 these are
unattractive creatures who have missed the
1
But you, our God, are kind and true; blessing of God and are not fit to give him
15 you bear evil patiently and order every- praise.
 WISDOM 16 976

How God treats his people and the flame rose more fiercely than fire to destroy Ex
16
Egyptians differently the harvest of an unholy land. Ps
1 78:25
That is why this people received the
Ex
16:9 16 punishment they deserved through
• 20 But to your people you gave the food of 105:
40
Num
similar animals and hordes of tormenting angels and from heaven sent bread already
11:10 prepared and suiting all tastes, having every
insects. 2 But in contrast to this punishment
it was kindness you showed to your people flavor. 21 In this way you revealed your loving
by providing quails – a delicious food – for kindness to your children. 22 Satisfying all
them. needs, this bread provided what each one
3
As for the Egyptians, in spite of their wanted.
fierce hunger, they were restrained by disgust That food, having the appearance of snow
from eating because of the repulsive sight of and ice, resisted fire and did not melt; thus
the creatures sent against them. But the they understood how their enemy’s harvest
Israelites after being deprived for a time were was destroyed by fire in the midst of hail,
then given the finest food. while lightning flashed in the falling rain.
23
4
It was necessary for their oppressors to This same fire seemed to forget its own
Num
21:4 suffer severe want, but enough for your nature in order to spare the food of the
people to know how the enemy was pun- righteous.
24
Num ished. 5 Indeed when they experienced the Your creation is at your service for you
21:9 fury of wild animals and the bites of writhing are its Author. It works to punish the wicked
Jn
snakes, your anger did not endure. and withdraws for the benefit of those who put
3:14-
17
6
Their temporary affliction served as a their trust in you.
25
warning; then they were given a sign of In the service of your bounty which Dt
attends to everything, creation made itself 8:3
salvation to remind them of the prescriptions Mt
of your law. 7 For whoever turned towards it manifold and adjusted to the wish of every- 4:4
Ex was saved, not by the image he saw, but by one. 26 Then the children you love learned
8:16 you, Lord, the Savior of all. that it is not crops of whatever kind which Ex
10:4 8 nourish humankind, but your word that sus- 16:21
Rev In that way you taught our enemies that
9:3 it is you who deliver us from every evil. 9 They tains those who trust you.
27
were, in fact, killed by the sting of insects and That food which resisted fire, simply
flies for which there was no cure since they melted in the warmth of a fleeting sunbeam,
28
deserved punishment from these creatures. teaching us that we must rise before the sun
10
Your children instead were not overcome, to give thanks and pray to you at dawn. 29 The
even by the fangs of venomous serpents, for hope of the ungrateful will melt like winter
Ps your mercy intervened and healed them. frost and flow away like water that is not being Rom
107: 11
Bites quickly healed reminded them of used. 11:33-
20 36
your commands, lest they fall into deep obliv-
ion and forget your kindness. 12 No herb, no 1
How great are your purposes and how Ex
ointment healed them but your word, Lord, 17 difficult to explain! People who have 10:21-
23
that heals all. not learned about them have gone astray.
13
You are Lord of life and death; you bring 2
While the godless thought they had the
down to the gate of the netherworld and bring holy nation in their power, they themselves
back again. 14 Man in his wickedness is able were prisoners, captives of a long night, shut
Ex to kill but he cannot bring back the departed in under their own roofs, banished from eter-
9:24 spirit or rescue the snatched soul. 15 It is nal providence.
impossible to escape your hand. 3
Although they counted on their sins re-
16
The godless, refusing to acknowledge maining hidden under the veil of forgetful-
you, were scourged by the strength of your ness, they were scattered and at the same
arm, lashed by relentless downpours, hail, time dismayed and terrified by visions. 4 The
and pitiless storms, and consumed by fire. dark places where they sheltered could not
17
But this was the most astounding: water, protect them from fear, they heard horrific
powerful to quench, made fire burn more noises and were confronted with ghastly and Ex
13:21-
fiercely. For the elements fight on the side of mournful apparitions. 5 No fire could give 22
the righteous. them light, while the sparkling radiance of the
18
At times the flame abated to spare the stars dared not shine on that horrible night.
6
insects thrust against the wicked, that they All that shone for them was an inextinguish-
might know they were pursued by God’s able and terrifying fire and, in their terror,
sentence. when this vision ended, they imagined their
19
At other times, in the midst of water the situation to be worse than it was.

• 16.20 What an amplification of the way of seeing things prepared for what Jesus
manna that God gave the Hebrews in the desert! would say in John 6.
Such rhetoric scarcely moves us, yet this Jewish
 977 WISDOM 18
7
Their magic arts failed and their pretence their sons who perished together in the raging
to intelligence was utterly confounded; sea.
8 6
those who claimed to eliminate the fear and That night had been foretold to our an-
disturbance of the sick mind were themselves cestors, and knowing in what promise they
afflicted with a ridiculous fear. trusted, they could rejoice in all surety.
7
9
Although there was nothing to cause this Your people waited for both the salvation
fear, they were terrified by the buzz of insects of the just and the downfall of their enemies,
8
and the hiss of snakes; 10 they died convulsed for the very punishment of our enemies
with fear, refusing to look even at the air from brought glory to the people you have called –
which no one may escape. 11 Wickedness is that is, to us.
9
cowardly and is condemned by itself; pur- The holy race secretly offered the Pass-
sued by conscience it always assumes the over sacrifice and really agreed on this wor-
worst. 12 For fear is no more than giving up the thy pact: that they would share alike both Ex
help that reason is able to give. 13 Inasmuch blessings and dangers. And forthwith they 11:6
as this help is lacking interiorly, the unknown began to sing the hymns of their fathers.
cause of one’s torments seems greater. 10
Then came discordant echoes from
14
So all that night, a night issued from the their enemies: plaintive voices mourning
powerless netherworld that took hold of them their children.
11
while they slept and made everyone power- The same sentence struck slave and
less, 15 they were either pursued by mon- master alike; the common man and the king
strous ghosts or paralyzed by a sudden, un- endured equal suffering. 12 They mourned
expected fear. 16 Whoever had fallen lay together for innumerable victims, all stricken
there, shut in a prison not made of iron. with the same kind of death.
17
Whether plowman or shepherd or some- The living were not enough to bury them,
one working by himself, he had to submit to for the flower of their race had perished in an
an inevitable fate; 18 all were bound by the instant.
13
same chain of darkness. Although sorcery had turned them into
Everything held them paralyzed by fear: unbelievers, after the death of their firstborn
the sighing of the wind and the tuneful song of they acknowledged that your people were the Rev
the birds in spreading branches, the continu- children of God. 19:11-
14 13
ous noise of rushing water 19 and the terrible While all was in quiet silence and the
crash of falling rocks, the swift, invisible night was in the middle of its course, 15 your
bounding of animals and the terrifying roar of almighty Word leapt down from the Royal
wild beasts, the echo rebounding from the Throne – a stern warrior to a doomed world.
16
mountains – all was a cause of fear. Carrying your fearful command like a
20
The whole world shone in brilliant light sharpened sword and stretching from heaven
and continued its work without hindrance; to earth, he filled the universe with death.
17
21
they alone were covered in the darkness of Immediately they were overwhelmed
night, the image of night that would be their with terrible dreams and hallucinations and
lot. But even heavier than the darkness was assailed by sudden fears. 18 Thrown half-
the burden they were for themselves. dead, some here and some there, they made
known why they were dying, 19 for the dreams
1
Meanwhile, for your holy ones there that had troubled them had also instructed
18 was great light. The Egyptians heard them, lest they perish without knowing the
their voice without seeing them; they called reason for their misfortune.
20
them fortunate because they had not suf- Indeed the righteous, too, experienced
fered; 2 they also thanked them, for in spite of death when a scourge struck a great number
the injustice done to them they had not of them in the desert, but God’s anger was
retaliated, and asked their pardon for previ- short-lived.
21
ous wrongs. A blameless man hastened to their de-
Is 3
In contrast to this darkness, you gave fense. Using the weapons of his sacred office
2:3, your holy people a pillar of fire as a guide in – prayer and atonement incense – he con-
5
their unmapped journey, as a mild sun dur- fronted the divine Wrath, putting an end to
ing their glorious migration. 4 The enemy their affliction, and was thus recognized as
deserved to be without light and imprisoned your servant.
22
in darkness for having imprisoned your sons, He vanquished your Wrath, but not by
Ex the people through whom the imperishable physical strength or by the force of arms. He
1:22– light of your laws would be given to the won over the Punisher by reminding him of
2:10
14:26- world. the sworn promises and covenants made
28 5
They had intended to kill the infants of with our ancestors.
23
your holy people – and of those exposed only The dead were already piled up, one on
one child was saved. Because of that you top of the other, when he intervened, beating
retaliated by doing away with a multitude of back Wrath and cutting it off from the living.
 WISDOM 18 978
24
For the whole world was represented on his 11
Later your people were to see a new way 16:13

flowing robe, the glorious names of the fa- for birds to appear, for when they hungered
thers on the four rows of stones, and your for food, 12 quails came out of the sea to
majesty engraved on the diadem on his head. satisfy their need.
25 13
The Destroyer, afraid of these, recoiled; Punishment befell the sinners after they
a mere taste of Wrath had been sufficient. had been warned by violent thunder; de-
servedly they suffered for their own wicked-
1
Instead, a pitiless fury raged against ness, for they had given proof of a most cruel
19 the wicked to the very end, for God hatred towards strangers.
14
knew beforehand what they would do: 2 that Others had not welcomed unknown
after allowing them to leave and hastening strangers, but the Egyptians enslaved guests Gen
who had been good to them. 15 The former will 45:17
their departure, they would then pursue
them. be condemned for dealing badly with strang-
2Mac
3
While the Egyptians were still mourning ers; 16 worse still, the Egyptians who had
6:14 at the graves of their dead, they had the mad welcomed them with celebrations and Gen
treated them as equals, but later made them 19:11
idea of pursuing them as fugitives.
4
A well-deserved fate drove them to this suffer cruelly.
17
extreme, making them forget what had hap- For this they were afflicted with blind-
pened and completing their punishment with ness like the men of Sodom who came to the
further torment. 5 While your people would door of the righteous man Lot and found
experience a miraculous journey, their op- themselves in utter darkness, each one grop-
pressors would suffer an extraordinary death. ing around to find his own door.
18
6
All creation in its different forms was The elements interchanged their quali-
fashioned anew at your command, in order to ties as on a harp the notes change their tones
protect your people. 7 The cloud covered the while retaining their own pitch. Clearly this is
camp with its shadow, dry land emerged what happened as is shown by a scrutiny of
where water had been. A safe passage was events.
19
opened through the Red Sea, the tempestu- Creatures living on the land became
ous flood became a green plain 8 where the aquatic and those that swam emerged on dry
whole nation of those protected by your hand land. 20 Fire burned more fiercely in water
Is
63:13 passed across, witnessing your astounding when water ceased to quench. 21 On another
Mal
deeds. occasion flames did not burn frail animals
3:20 that passed through them nor did they melt
9
They were like horses led to pasture, or Is
Ex the heavenly food that normally would have 45:17,
like frolicking lambs, praising you, their Lord,
8:12- melted like frost. 25
15 who had delivered them. 10 For they still re-
membered what they had seen in their exile: • 22 For in every way, Lord, you have ex-
how the earth, in place of animals, had pro- alted and glorified your people, never dis-
duced mosquitoes, and rivers, instead of daining them, but standing by them always
providing fish, produced frogs. and everywhere.
Ex

• 19.22 The book concludes abruptly on this hope that the people of God will never be
abandoned.