The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Solomon 12
1 For your incorruptible spirit is in all things.
2 Therefore you convict little by little those
who fall from the right way and, putting them in remembrance by
the things wherein they sin, you admonish them,
that escaping from their wickedness
they may believe in you, O Lord.
3 For truly the old inhabitants of your holy
land,
4 hating them because they practiced
detestable works of enchantments
and unholy rites
5 merciless slaughters of children
and sacrificial banquets of men’s flesh
and of blood—
6 allies in an impious fellowship,
and murderers of their own helpless
babes, it was your counsel to destroy by the
hands of our fathers;
7 that the land which in your sight is
most precious of all might receive a
worthy colony of God’s servants.†
8 Nevertheless you even spared these as
men, and you sent hornets‡ as forerunners
of your army, to cause them to perish
little by little.
9 Not that you were unable to subdue the
ungodly under the hand of the righteous in battle,
or by terrible beasts or by a stern word
to make away with them at once,
10 but judging them little by little you gave
them a chance to repent, not being ignorant that their nature by
birth was evil, their wickedness inborn, and that their manner of thought
would never be changed.
11 For they were a cursed seed from the
beginning. It wasn’t through fear of any that you
left them unpunished for their sins.
12 For who will say, “What have you done?”
Or “Who will withstand your judgment?”
Who will accuse you for the perishing of
nations which you caused? Or who will come and stand before
you as an avenger for unrighteous men?
13 For there isn’t any God beside you that
cares for all, that you might show that you didn’t
judge unrighteously.
14 No king or prince will be able to confront
you about those whomyouhave punished.
15 But being righteous, you rule all things
righteously, deeming it a thing alien from your
power to condemn one who doesn’t deserve
to be punished.
16 For your strength is the source of righteousness,
and your sovereignty over all makes you to forbear all.
17 For when men don’t believe that you
are perfect in power, you show your
strength, and in dealing with those who think
this, you confuse their boldness.
18 But you, being sovereign in strength,
judge in gentleness, and with great for
bearance you govern us; for the power is
yours whenever you desire it.
19 But you taught your people by such
works as these, how the righteous must be kind.
You made your sons to have good hope,
because you give repentance when
men have sinned.
20 For if onthose who were enemies of your
servants§ and deserving of death,
you took vengeance with so great deliberation
and indulgence, giving them times and opportunities
when they might escape from their wickedness,
21 with how great care you judged your
sons, to whose fathers you gave oaths and
covenants of good promises!
22 Therefore while you chasten us, you
scourge our enemies ten thousand
times more, to the intent that we
may ponder your goodness when we judge,
and when we are judged may look for
mercy.
23 Therefore also the unrighteous that
lived in a life of folly,
you tormented through their own
abominations.
24For truly they went astray very far in the
ways of error, Taking as gods those animals† which
even among their enemies were held in dishonor,
deceived like foolish babes.
25 Therefore, as to unreasoning children,
you sent your judgment to mock
them.
26 But those who would not be admonished
by mild correction will experience the
deserved judgment of God.
27 For through the sufferings they were
indignant of, being punished in these creatures
which they supposed to be gods,
they saw and recognized as the true
God him whom they previously refused to know.
Therefore also the result of extreme
condemnation came upon them.