Note 77 — Chapter XX

Reference is here made to the Book of Wisdom, which is found in the Douay Bible next after Solomon’s “Canticle of Canticles” (“Song of Songs,” in the Protestant Bible); it does not, however, occur in the Vulgate. The passage here cited (in Latin, in Diaz’s text) reads thus in the Douay (English) version: “Learn, ye that are judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations. For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the Most High, who will examine your works, and search out your thoughts: because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God. Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.” These words are found in verses 2–6 of chapter vi.