For children born of unlawful unions: Once again the connector For may be omitted. The phrase of unlawful unions is literally “of unlawful sleeps.” It differs from the phrase used in 3.16, but the meaning is of course the same.

Are witnesses of evil against their parents: This probably does not mean that at the final judgment the children will actually give testimony as would a witness at a court trial, but rather, that their very existence gives evidence of their parents’ unlawful union. The children could not give testimony to something that happened before they were born. The writer may be thinking of the physical appearance of children of a mixed marriage. See the note on 3.13.

When God examines them (literally “at their examination”) refers to the “Judgment Day” (Good News Translation).

An alternative model for this verse is:

• When God judges these people, their illegitimate children will be proof of their sin[fulness].

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.