The Just One

The wicked said among themselves,

   thinking not aright:

“Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;

   he sets himself against our doings,

Reproaches us for transgressions of the law

   and charges us with violations of our training.

He professes to have knowledge of God

   and styles himself a child of the LORD.

To us he is the censure of our thoughts;

   merely to see him is a hardship for us,

Because his life is not like that of others,

   and different are his ways.

He judges us debased;

   he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure.

He calls blest the destiny of the just

   and boasts that God is his Father.

Let us see whether his words be true;

   let us find out what will happen to him.

For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him

   and deliver him from the hand of his foes.

With revilement and torture let us put him to the test

   that we may have proof of his gentleness

   and try his patience.

Let us condemn him to a shameful death;

   for according to his own words, God will take care of him.”

These were their thoughts, but they erred;

   for their wickedness blinded them,

and they knew not the hidden counsels of God;

   neither did they count on a recompense of holiness

   nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.

~Wisdom 2:1a, 12-22