Wisdom of Solomon 1
1 Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him.
2 For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him.
3 For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise.
4 For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin.
5 For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.
6 For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
7 For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice.
8 Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him.
9 For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds.
10 For the ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid.
11 Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth slayeth the soul.
12 Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands.
13 For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living.
14 For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth:
15 (For righteousness is immortal:)
16 But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to nought, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it.
Common Questions About Wisdom of Solomon 1
What does chapter 1 teach about righteousness and wisdom?
The chapter urges rulers to love righteousness and seek the LORD with sincerity, explaining that wisdom is a holy spirit who will not enter a deceitful soul, and that testing oneself with wicked or crooked thoughts drives wisdom away.
What does the chapter say about the origin of death?
The chapter states clearly that God did not make death and takes no pleasure in the destruction of the living, but that death entered the world through the envy or wickedness of those who chose it, distinguishing God's good creation from humanity's own destructive choices.
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Questions to Think About
- This chapter identifies sincerity and honesty of heart as prerequisites for genuinely welcoming wisdom into your life. Where might a lack of sincerity or honesty with yourself be quietly keeping wisdom at a distance in your own life?
- The text is careful to distinguish God's good intentions from humanity's own destructive choices. How does understanding that death and suffering ultimately trace back to human choice, not God's desire, shape your own trust in God's goodness?
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