Wisdom 11:22-12:5

Common English Bible

²² Before you, the whole world is nothing but dust on the scale or but a drop of dew that falls to earth in the night. ²³ Yet precisely because you can do all things, you show mercy to everyone. You overlook their sins, giving them a chance to change their hearts and minds. ²⁴ You love everything that exists. You despise nothing that you have made. If you hated it, you wouldn’t have created it. ²⁵ Nothing could survive unless you had willed it. Nothing could remain unless you continued to call it into being. ²⁶ You spare all things because all things are yours, ruler and lover of life.

12 Your imperishable spirit is present in all things. ² Therefore, Lord, little by little you correct those who have gone astray. You warn them by reminding them of how they have sinned, so that they can be set free from their wickedness and believe in you. ³ You hated the people who once lived in your holy land because of the evil deeds they were doing. ⁴ They were casting spells and using drugs, and performed unholy rites. ⁵ They murdered their own children without pity! Those who were initiated into their secret rituals feasted on human flesh and blood.