For the lowliest man may be pardoned in mercy may be rendered “God may have mercy on the lowliest [or, most ordinary] person, and pardon him.”

But mighty men will be mightily tested: There is a verbal echo in the line in Greek, which Revised Standard Version tries to preserve (mighty … mightily). This would be a nice touch if it can be done easily and naturally, but it is not as important as conveying the meaning. Possible renderings are “but those in power must meet [or, face] a severe test” or “but he severely tests those in power [or, those who rule].” The word translated tested is the same word used in 2.19; see the note there.

An alternative translation model for verses 4-6 is:

• You yourselves are only workers in God’s kingdom, but you have not made the right decisions [or, you have ruled unjustly]. You have not upheld [or, defended] God’s law, and have not ruled according to his will. And so he will punish you both quickly and terribly [or, harshly/without mercy], because he punishes those who are in power [or, those who rule] especially severely. God may have mercy on the lowliest [or, most ordinary] person, but he severely tests those in power.

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.