Read & explore together
Wisdom accompanies a sold man from confinement to authority
This short wisdom passage praises wisdom as a faithful companion of a righteous man through being sold, imprisoned and later honoured. It speaks poetically, presenting wisdom as active and present in both suffering and public vindication.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
These verses come from the Catholic additional book Wisdom of Solomon. The passage gives brief allusions about a righteous man rather than retelling a full account. Its focus is what wisdom does: she does not forsake him, stays with him in confinement, brings authority, exposes false accusation and gives glory.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:13–14Main takeaway
This passage says wisdom stays with the righteous in suffering, delivers from sin, and finally brings truth and honour to light.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Sold but not forsakenThe opening line names "a righteous man" who "was sold". Even there, wisdom "didn’t forsake him".
Explanation
The opening line names "a righteous man" who "was sold". Even there, wisdom "didn’t forsake him". The verse explains her help in direct words: "she delivered him from sin". The stress falls on wisdom’s loyalty and preserving work during a time of wrong and loss.
02Wisdom in the dungeonThe passage then says wisdom "went down with him into a dungeon". This means wisdom’s presence is described as reaching even into confinement.
Explanation
The passage then says wisdom "went down with him into a dungeon". This means wisdom’s presence is described as reaching even into confinement. Verse 14 continues the same point: "in bonds she didn’t depart from him". Wisdom is not shown as distant while the righteous man suffers restraint.
03From bonds to authorityWisdom remained with him "until" a dramatic change happened. She brought him "the sceptre of a kingdom" and "authority".
Explanation
Wisdom remained with him "until" a dramatic change happened. She brought him "the sceptre of a kingdom" and "authority". A sceptre is a sign of rule. The text also says this authority was over those who "dealt like a tyrant with him", reversing the earlier situation.
04False accusers exposedThe final line adds two results only. Wisdom "showed those who had mockingly accused him to be false".
Explanation
The final line adds two results only. Wisdom "showed those who had mockingly accused him to be false". She also "gave him eternal glory". The verse does not explain these further, but it clearly joins wisdom with the exposure of falsehood and the giving of lasting honour.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What actions of wisdom are listed before the man receives authority?
Follow the verbs in order: wisdom did not forsake him, delivered him from sin, went down with him into a dungeon, and did not depart from him in bonds.
02How does the passage contrast the man’s condition at the start and later?
Compare "sold", "dungeon" and "bonds" with "the sceptre of a kingdom" and "authority".
03What does wisdom do about the people who accused him?
Verse 14 says wisdom showed the mockingly accusing people to be false and gave the righteous man eternal glory.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Wisdom of Solomon 10:13–14
13When a righteous man was sold, wisdom didn’t forsake him, but she delivered him from sin. She went down with him into a dungeon,
14and in bonds she didn’t depart from him, until she brought him the sceptre of a kingdom, and authority over those that dealt like a tyrant with him. She also showed those who had mockingly accused him to be false, and gave him eternal glory.