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Verse 2
Theosis · English Bible
Wisdom

Wisdom 10

Old TestamentTheosis · English Bible

1She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall, 2and gave him power to rule all things. 3But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother. 4For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value. 5Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded, she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless unto God, and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son. 6When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities. 7Of whose wickedness, even to this day the waste land that smoketh is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness: and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul. 8For regarding not wisdom, they gat not only this hurt, that they knew not the things which were good; but also left behind them to the world a memorial of their foolishness: so that in the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be hid. 9But wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her. 10When the righteous fled from his brother's wrath, she guided him in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied the fruit of his labours. 11In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him, and made him rich. 12She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that godliness is stronger than all. 13When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not, but delivered him from sin: she went down with him into the pit, 14and left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and gave him perpetual glory. 15She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them. 16She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, and withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs; 17rendered to the righteous a reward of their labours, guided them in a marvellous way, and was unto them for a cover by day, and a light of stars in the night season; 18brought them through the Red sea, and led them through much water: 19but she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep. 20Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly, and praised thy holy name, O Lord, and magnified with one accord thine hand, that fought for them. 21For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of them that cannot speak eloquent.

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Wisdom 10:2

Dimitri of Rostov

Dimitri of Rostov17th century

After Adam was expelled from Paradise, he found himself initially close to its borders. Together with his companion, he gazed toward the heavenly garden, weeping incessantly and yearning deeply for the indescribable gifts he had lost due to a brief indulgence in forbidden fruit. Despite the transgression of our first parents, Adam and Eve, which caused them to forfeit their original grace before the Lord God, they maintained their faith in Him. They were filled with reverence and love for God, nurturing a steadfast hope for redemption that had been revealed to them. The Lord embraced their repentance, seeing their earnest tears and their acts of fasting, which were expressions of humility amid their trials. He looked upon them with compassion, attentively listening to their heartfelt prayers, and He prepared forgiveness for them, liberating them from their sinful shame. This is evident in the words of the Book of Wisdom: "This (the wisdom of God) of the original father of the world of the one-created saved and led him away from his sin, and gave him strength to keep all things" (Prem. 10:1-2).

Some might ask why, if God forgave Adam's sin, He did not restore him to Paradise. The forgiveness granted was personal, not extending to the entire human race because the sin was theirs alone. God absolved them of their guilt, but divine justice required that punishment remained, necessitating satisfaction from those who erred. Adam and Eve were unable to atone for the sin that had implications for all humanity, so they could not re-enter Paradise until the arrival of the Redeemer, the Son of God, who would make satisfaction to God the Father through His willing suffering for the sins of the world and ensure the restoration of access to Paradise through His crucifixion.

Trusting in God's merciful nature and not succumbing to despair, our first parents, Adam and Eve, began to seek ways to serve Him through acts of repentance. They turned toward the east, where Paradise had been, praying to their Creator and offering sacrifices—whether from the flocks, which symbolizes the future sacrifice of the Lamb of God for humanity’s redemption, or from field produce, prefiguring the sacrament of the New Covenant, where the Son of God would be offered as a pleasing sacrifice to the Father for the forgiveness of mankind’s sins. In this manner, they instructed their children to honor God and present their own sacrifices, sharing lamentations about the blessings of Paradise. They encouraged their offspring to pursue the salvation promised by God and to lead lives of righteousness.