Chapter 2

¹ For [the ungodly] said, reasoning with themselves, [but] not aright,

Wis 2:1

² For we are born at all adventure:

Wis 2:2

³ Which being extinguished, our body shall be turned to ashes,

Wis 2:3

⁴ And our name shall be forgotten in time,

Wis 2:4

⁵ For our time is a very shadow that passeth away;

Wis 2:5

⁶ Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present:

Wis 2:6

⁷ Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments:

Wis 2:7

⁸ Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered:

Wis 2:8

⁹ Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness:

Wis 2:9

¹⁰ Let us oppress the poor righteous man,

Wis 2:10

¹¹ Let our strength be the law of justice:

Wis 2:11

¹² Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn,

Wis 2:12

¹³ He professeth to have the knowledge of God:

Wis 2:13

¹⁴ He was made to reprove our thoughts.

Wis 2:14

¹⁵ He is grievous unto us even to behold:

Wis 2:15

¹⁶ We are esteemed of him as counterfeits:

Wis 2:16

¹⁷ Let us see if his words be true:

Wis 2:17

¹⁸ For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him,

Wis 2:18

¹⁹ Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture,

Wis 2:19

²⁰ Let us condemn him with a shameful death:

Wis 2:20

²¹ Such things they did imagine, and were deceived:

Wis 2:21

²² As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not:

Wis 2:22

²³ For God created man to be immortal,

Wis 2:23

²⁴ Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world:

Wis 2:24