Carrying the sharp sword of thy authentic command: Other translations of authentic are “inflexible” (New English Bible) and “unambiguous” (New Jerusalem Bible). In the figure of speech here, the command is the sword, the weapon used by the soldier in carrying out God’s judgment against Egypt. Good News Translation alters the imagery somewhat, but the meaning comes through clearly with “fearful weapon.” But many translators will wish to use the imagery and render this line, which begins at the end of the previous verse, as follows: “merciless [or, relentless] soldier, armed with your firm [or, clear] command as a sharp sword” or “… soldier carrying a sharp sword that represents your firm command.” Another option is to use a simile (see the model at the end of the verse); for example, “It attacked like a merciless soldier….”

And stood and filled all things with death, and touched heaven while standing on the earth: This continues the imaginary picture of God’s command as a soldier, described here as filling the world. Good News Translation moves filled all things with death to the end of the verse, which is effective. Good News Translation retains the figure “filling the land with death.” This is an unusual picture, but understandable, and effective for its being unexpected. Translators who find it unworkable may say something like “spreading death everywhere” or “killing people everywhere in the land.”

For the whole verse the best approach may be to combine verses 15-16 in this manner:

• Your invincible word of judgment—your clear and unmistakable command—sped from your royal throne in heaven down to attack that doomed land. It attacked like a merciless soldier, standing with feet on the ground and head touching the sky, swinging a sharp sword and filling the land with death.

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.