For through the vanity of men they entered the world: Insofar as idolatry originated from a desire such as to keep alive the memory of a dead child or to honor a ruler, it may be considered an extension of human pride (vanity). So we may say “It was human pride that brought them into the world.”

And therefore their speedy end has been planned: See Isa 2.18; Ezek 30.13; Micah 5.12-14; Zech 13.2; Tob 14.6. Good News Translation provides a good model for this verse, but the last line could be expressed in the active where necessary; for example, “and that is why God has planned a quick end for them” or “… God has planned to make them end [or, disappear] quickly.”

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.