Whereas the fire, in order that the righteous might be fed, even forgot its native power may be rendered “But the fire [that destroyed those crops] held back its power, so that your own people might have food.”

Good News Translation has combined the last three lines of verse 22 (beginning with so that they might know) with this verse into one sentence. Although it is long, it is clear, and it emphasizes the author’s point in a way that a more conservative approach might not. Models for these lines are suggested above, but we encourage translators who feel they can do so to follow Good News Translation.

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.