Wisdom of Solomon

Although this book of the Bible was called The Wisdom of Solomon, it was probably written around the first century B.C. and was in Greek. It was not uncommon in those days to attribute a book to a famous person to give it credibility. It would have to be in the same vein as words written by the famous person, such as laws of Moses or Psalms of David. Even today we have books attached to famous names written by others.

Be that as it may, the Wisdom of Solomon provides much wisdom and advice on how we should live as wise men and not fools. Here is Wisdom 1:1-11.

Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord with uprightness, and seek him with sincerity of heart; because he is found by those who do not put him to the test, and manifests himself to those who do not distrust him. For perverse thoughts separate men from God, and when his power is tested, it convicts the foolish; because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul, nor dwell in a body enslaved to sin. For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit, and will rise and depart from foolish thoughts, and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness.

For wisdom is a kindly spirit and will not free a blasphemer from the guilt of his words; because God is witness of his inmost feelings, and a true observer of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. Because the Spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which holds all things together knows what is said; therefore no one who utters unrighteous things will escape notice, and justice, when it punishes, will not pass him by. For inquiry will be made into the counsels of an ungodly man, and a report of his words will come to the Lord, to convict him of his lawless deeds; because a jealous ear hears all things, and the sound of murmurings does not go unheard. Beware then of useless murmuring, and keep your tongue from slander; because no secret word is without result, and a lying mouth destroys the soul.

If you should move on to Chapter 2, you’ll come across this passage (Wisdom 2:3): “When it is extinguished, the body will turn to ashes, and the spirit will dissolve like empty air.” At this point, Jesus had not yet come into the world to reveal the existence of an afterlife and the immortality of the soul. That’s why this wisdom is so important – the soul will choose where to spend eternity, based on whether we cling to the Lord Almighty or follow the evil one.