But the ungodly will be punished as their reasoning deserves: This is a reference back to the speech of the ungodly in 2.1-20. Compare 2.21. Good News Translation offers a good translation. The introductory “however” signals the shift of subject from the righteous to the ungodly. In languages that do not have a passive, we may say “However, God will punish the ungodly as their evil thoughts deserve.”

Who disregarded the righteous man and rebelled against the Lord: The disregard for the righteous and the rebellion against the Lord are the same action. Translators could say “rebelled against the Lord by disregarding the righteous.” As the notes in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation indicate, the righteous man could equally well be translated “what is right.” In favor of the former, we may have a reference back to the righteous man of 2.10-20. In favor of the latter is that disregarded and “ignored” (Good News Translation) are weak terms to refer back to the actions contemplated in 2.17-20. Translators may go either way here; the Handbook has a slight preference for the former, and would suggest “because they rebelled against the Lord when they showed contempt for righteous people.”

An alternative model for this verse is:

• God will punish the ungodly as their evil thoughts deserve, because they rebelled against him when they showed contempt for righteous people.

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.