Verses 5-8 are a parallel series, each with more or less the same form. They say that if riches (verse 5), understanding (verse 6), righteousness (verse 7), and experience (verse 8) are good to have, then nothing can be better than having Wisdom since she brings all these qualities. Translators should try to use the same form in each of these verses. Good News Translation has chosen to begin each with a question, followed by a statement, but other approaches are possible:
• Since riches are a good thing to have, nothing is richer than Wisdom.
• Since riches are a good thing to have, can anything be richer than Wisdom?
• Riches are good to have, and nothing is richer than Wisdom.
• Riches are good, aren’t they? But nothing is richer than Wisdom.
If riches are a desirable possession in life: The If clause makes the assumption that riches or wealth is good. In life adds nothing to the meaning of the line, and if it is distracting, it should not be included. The first line can also be a statement; for example, “It is good to have riches [or, great possessions],” or we may say “Since it is good to be rich….”
What is richer than wisdom who effects all things?: If wealth is a good thing, then people should wish for Wisdom since “Nothing can make you richer…” (Good News Translation). The Greek literally says that it is Wisdom who is rich, but Good News Translation makes the point the author wants to make. Who effects all things is better rendered by New English Bible: “the active cause of all things.” We could also say “who has produced everything that exists.”
Possible models for the whole verse are:
• Since it is good to have riches, there is nothing that can make you richer than Wisdom. She has produced [or, made] everything that exists.
• Riches [or, many possessions] are good to have, and nothing can make you richer [or, more wealthy] than Wisdom….
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.