But thy sons were not conquered even by the teeth of venomous serpents: Thy sons are the Israelites; Good News Translation has “your people.” Good News Translation says nothing about teeth (New Revised Standard Version “fangs”), but that is clearly implied in “poisonous snakes.” However, “the teeth of poisonous snakes” is more dramatic, and may be a natural expression in some languages.

For thy mercy came to their help and healed them may be rendered “because you were merciful to them, helped them, and cured them.”

Contemporary English Version combines the two lines of this verse by leaving the ideas of conquered and help to be understood from the context: “But you were merciful to your children and healed them from poisonous snake bites.”

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.