Wisdom of Solomon 1

1 Love righteousness, you who judge the earth. Think about the Lord with goodness, and seek him with simplicity of heart. 2 He is found by those who do not put him to the test, and he reveals himself to those who do not distrust him. 3 Crooked thoughts separate people from God, and when his power is put to the test, it exposes the foolish. 4 Wisdom will not enter a soul that devises evil or dwell in a body indebted to sin. 5 The holy spirit of instruction flees deceit, withdraws from foolish thoughts, and is put to shame when wrongdoing approaches. 6 Wisdom is a spirit loving toward humanity, but she will not acquit a blasphemer for his words. God witnesses his inmost thoughts, truly watches his heart, and hears his tongue.

7 The Lord’s spirit has filled the inhabited world, and what holds all things together knows every voice. 8 Therefore no one who speaks unrighteous things will escape notice, nor will justice pass him by when it exposes him. 9 An ungodly person’s plans will be examined, and the report of his words will reach the Lord to expose his lawless deeds. 10 A jealous ear hears everything, and the sound of grumbling is not hidden. 11 So guard yourselves from useless grumbling, and spare your tongue from slander. A secret utterance will not go unpunished, and a lying mouth destroys the soul.

12 Do not pursue death through the error of your life or draw destruction upon yourselves through the works of your hands. 13 God did not make death, and he takes no delight in the destruction of the living. 14 He created everything so that it might exist. What the world brings forth is life-giving; no destructive poison is found in it, and no kingdom of Hades exists on earth. 15 Righteousness is immortal. 16 But the ungodly summoned death by their hands and words. Regarding it as a friend, they wasted away and made a covenant with it, because they deserve to share its portion.