For thou didst test them as a father does in warning: For may be omitted, and this line may be rendered “You tested them to warn them, like parents do with their children.”

But thou didst examine the ungodly as a stern king does in condemnation: This may be expressed as “But you condemned those ungodly people, like stern [or, harsh] kings do when passing judgment [or, condemning criminals].”

Verses 9 and 10 could be combined in some such way as this:

• You put them to the test [or, tested them with thirst] as an act of mercy to warn them, like parents do with their children. But from this testing they learned about the tortures those ungodly people suffered when you judged [or, punished] them in anger [or, while you were angry]. You condemned those people like a stern king pronouncing judgment [or, condemning criminals].

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.