For the reasoning of mortals is worthless: Reasoning refers to our ability to think clearly and logically (Good News Translation “Human reason”; Contemporary English Version “our reasoning”). The word translated worthless can mean “timid” or “uncertain.” Good News Translation makes a connection with the previous verse, but may be expanded: “Human reason alone is not adequate to the task of understanding God’s plan.”

And our designs are likely to fail: This line is essentially parallel to the previous line. We could add this to the model above: “It may mislead us.” Good News Translation offers an attractive alternative.

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.