Wisdom 14:27-15:3

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

²⁷ For the worship of idols not to be named
is the beginning and cause and end of every evil.
²⁸ For their worshipers^[a] either rave in exultation,
or prophesy lies, or live unrighteously, or readily commit perjury;
²⁹ for because they trust in lifeless idols
they swear wicked oaths and expect to suffer no harm.
³⁰ But just penalties will overtake them on two counts:
because they thought wrongly about God in devoting themselves to idols,
and because in deceit they swore unrighteously through contempt for holiness.
³¹ For it is not the power of the things by which people swear,^[b]
but the just penalty for those who sin,
that always pursues the transgression of the unrighteous.

15 But you, our God, are kind and true,
patient, and ruling all things^[c] in mercy.
² For even if we sin we are yours, knowing your power;
but we will not sin, because we know that you acknowledge us as yours.
³ For to know you is complete righteousness,
and to know your power is the root of immortality.