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For the creation, serving thee who hast made it: The connector For may be omitted. Here Good News Translation takes a Greek sentence, which is not overly long in itself, and breaks it into shorter statements. This line is effectively translated “You created the universe; it is at your command.” But translators may also say “You created all things, and they serve you.”

Exerts itself to punish the unrighteous, and in kindness relaxes on behalf of those who trust in thee: The Greek verbs translated exerts and relaxes are terms used to describe the tuning of a stringed musical instrument: tightening the strings and loosening them. It is difficult to preserve the imagery, although Revised English Bible comes close: “strains to punish the unrighteous and relaxes into benevolence towards those who put their trust in you.” Both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, however, convey the essential meaning. Exerts itself means to use its power for a determined purpose, as Good News Translation has it: “All creation uses its power to punish….” Good News Translation does well to introduce the last line with “but,” since it presents a contrast with the line before it. In kindness relaxes means that creation does not use its destructive forces (hail, rain, fire) against God’s people. Good News Translation renders this phrase “it becomes mild and kind.” Another possible approach for the last line is “but it holds back that power to protect the people who put their trust in you.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• You created all things, and they serve you. All created things use their power to punish wicked people, but they hold back that power to protect the people who trust in you.

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.