For it was necessary that upon those oppressors inexorable want should come: The connector For may be omitted. Necessary may be rendered “Inevitable” (New Jerusalem Bible), “right” (New English Bible), or “appropriate.” For this line we suggest “It was [only/simply] appropriate that the oppressors should be driven to desperation [or, in a desperate situation]” or “… should find themselves in a situation with no way out.”

While to these it was merely shown how their enemies were being tormented: These refers to the Israelites. This does not mean that the Israelites looked on the suffering of the Egyptians as if watching a show. It means that they themselves suffered the same kind of thing, but just a little bit, so that they would know just how severely God must be punishing their enemies. Translators could say “while your [own] people simply were experiencing suffering for a short while.”

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.