Read & explore together
Wisdom’s care is recalled from the first human to the flood
This passage from the Catholic additional book of Wisdom of Solomon looks back at early human figures through the theme of wisdom. It contrasts wisdom’s guarding help with the ruin that comes when a person turns away from her.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Wisdom of Solomon 10:1–4 is a short wisdom reflection, not a full retelling. The verses move from the “first formed father”, to an unrighteous man who killed his brother, to a righteous man guided through the flood. In each case, the passage keeps the spotlight on wisdom’s action or absence.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:1–4Main takeaway
In this passage, wisdom is shown as the one who guards, strengthens, and guides, while leaving wisdom leads to destruction.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Wisdom guarded the first formed fatherThe passage begins with “the first formed father of the world”, who was “created alone”. It says wisdom guarded him “to the end” and delivered him “out of his own transgression”.
Explanation
The passage begins with “the first formed father of the world”, who was “created alone”. It says wisdom guarded him “to the end” and delivered him “out of his own transgression”. The emphasis is on wisdom’s care, even where human failure is mentioned.
02Wisdom also gave strengthVerse 2 adds another action. Wisdom not only delivered this first father, but “gave him strength to rule over all things”.
Explanation
Verse 2 adds another action. Wisdom not only delivered this first father, but “gave him strength to rule over all things”. In these lines, strength for ruling is presented as a gift associated with wisdom, not as something gained apart from her.
03Turning away from wisdom ends in ruinThe third verse gives a sharp contrast. An “unrighteous man” fell away from wisdom “in his anger”.
Explanation
The third verse gives a sharp contrast. An “unrighteous man” fell away from wisdom “in his anger”. The result is death: he “perished himself” in the rage with which he killed his brother. The verse links separation from wisdom with destructive anger and loss.
04Wisdom guided through the floodThe final verse says that when the earth was drowning with a flood, wisdom “again saved it”.
Explanation
The final verse says that when the earth was drowning with a flood, wisdom “again saved it”. She guided “the righteous man’s course” by “a paltry piece of wood”. The line highlights wisdom’s guidance and shows that the means of rescue can appear small.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What actions does the passage say wisdom did for the first formed father?
Stay with the wording of the text: wisdom guarded him, delivered him out of transgression, and gave him strength to rule.
02How does verse 3 describe the unrighteous man’s downfall?
Notice both cause and outcome: he fell away from wisdom in anger, and he perished in the rage tied to killing his brother.
03What does verse 4 stress about wisdom’s saving help?
The verse points to wisdom’s guidance of the righteous man’s course, even by “a paltry piece of wood”.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Wisdom of Solomon 10:1–4
1Wisdom guarded to the end the first formed father of the world, who was created alone, and delivered him out of his own transgression,
2and gave him strength to rule over all things.
3But when an unrighteous man fell away from her in his anger, he perished himself in the rage with which he killed his brother.
4When for his cause the earth was drowning with a flood, wisdom again saved it, guiding the righteous man’s course by a paltry piece of wood.