1This wisdom of God kept him, that was formed first of God, the father of the world, when he alone was made (out) of nought. And this wisdom led him out of his trespass, and led [or brought] him out of the slime of the earth,

2and gave to him virtue (or power) to hold together all things, that is, gave to him the lordship over all lower things.

3As the unjust man in his ire went away from this wisdom, brotherhood perished by the ire of man-quelling. [From this as the unrightwise went away in his wrath, by the wrath of manslaughter perished fraternity.]

4For which thing when the water did away the earth, wisdom healed (it) again; governing a just [or the rightwise] man by a despisable tree.

5This wisdom also in the consent of pride, when nations had raised them-selves, knew a just man [or knew the rightwise], and kept (him) without (com)plaint [or blame] to God; and this wisdom kept strong mercy in sons.

6And it delivered a just man [or the rightwise] fleeing from wicked [or un-pious] men perishing, when fire came down into the place of five cities.

7For which wicked men the land smoking is made desert, into witness-ing of waywardness, [or shrewdness, (or depravity)], and trees having fruits in uncertain time; and the mind of an unbelieveful soul standing an image of salt.

8For why men passing (by, or ignoring) wisdom, not only fell in this, that they knew not goods [or (the) good things], but also they left to men the mind of their unwisdom, (so) that in these sins, which they did, they might not be hid.

9Forsooth wisdom delivered them from sorrows, that keep it.

10Soothly this wisdom led forth a just man [or (the) rightwise] by rightful [or right] ways, that fled from the ire [or the wrath] of his brother; and it showed him the realm [or the kingdom] of God, and gave to him the cunning (or the know-ing) of saints; it made him honest (or rich) in travails, and fulfilled his travails.

11It helped him in the fraud of deceivers [or the guile of the men coming about to him], and made him honest, (or honourable, or rich).

12It kept him from (his) enemies, and defended him from deceivers; and it gave to him a strong battle, (so) that he should overcome, and know, that wisdom is the mightiest of all.

13This wisdom forsook not the just [or rightwise] man (when he was) sold, that is Joseph, when his brothers sold him to men of Ishmael, but delivered him from (the) sinners; and it went down with him into a ditch, that is, (in)to the prison of the king of Egypt;

14and it forsook not him in bonds, till it brought to him the sceptre of the realm, and power against them that oppressed him; and it showed them (to be) liars, that defouled him, and it gave to him everlasting clearness (or glory).

15This wisdom delivered a just [or rightwise] people, and wholly without (com)plaint [or blame], from (the) nations that oppressed it.

16It entered into the soul of God’s servant, and he stood against hideous kings, in great wonders and miracles [or in great wonders and signs].

17And it yielded to (the) just [or rightwise] men the meed of their travails, and led them forth in a wonderful [or a marvellous] way; and it was to them in (a) covering of the day, and in the light of stars by night.

18And it translated, either led over, them through the Reed Sea or the Red Sea; and bare them over through full much water.

19But it drenched (or drowned) down the enemies of them into the sea; and led them out from the depth of hells [or the deepness of hell], that is, from the bottom of the sea.

20Therefore just [or rightwise] men take away the spoils of wicked [or un-pious] men; and, Lord, they magnified in song thine holy name, and praised together thine hand, (their) overcomer.

21For why wisdom opened the mouth of dumb men, and made the tongues of young children not speak-ing to be wise [or (to be) fair speaking].