For righteousness is immortal: Scholars vigorously disagree on this short verse. Some argue that the line is out of place, and belongs in another context. Others feel that the line is not original, but a scribal addition. Others feel that it is original, but that a second line is missing (some Latin manuscripts have a second line). The line is firmly in the Greek text, however, and a second line does not appear in any Greek text, so translators have no choice but to translate the verse as it is found. Actually, the argument that the line interrupts the context is overdrawn. Once we understand that righteousness here is God’s righteousness, that is, God’s justice, this line gives the reason for the statement in the preceding line. The Good News Translation rendering makes the connection clear. An alternative model is “For God will always be just [or, fair].”

It should be noticed that the word righteousness, which appears in verse 1, reappears here as a section of thought is completed. Taking a word from the beginning of a section and repeating it at the end was a common device of ancient writers (sometimes referred to as an “inclusio” or “inclusion”). It is further reason for believing that the one line of this verse is original and that nothing is missing.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.