Verses 21-24 are the author’s reflection on the long quotation of what the ungodly people think in verses 1-20.

Thus they reasoned, but they were led astray: It is possible to translate this in the present tense, as Good News Translation does. Most translators will prefer this; the text speaks here of a constant reality, not an event in the past. Translators will also do well to remind the readers of the grammatical subject, “ungodly men” (Revised Standard Version in 1.16); Good News Translation says “evil people.” Compare verse 1. This line could be reworded as “This is how evil people think, but how wrong they are!” or “… but they are completely wrong.”

For their wickedness blinded them: For may be rendered “because.” “Blindness” here is a metaphor for the inability to think correctly. This could be made clear, while retaining the active voice, in this way: “Their wickedness has blinded them to the truth” or “They cannot see [or, discern] the truth because their wickedness has blinded them [or, distorted their minds].”

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.