But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.
2
In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,
3
And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.
4
For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.
Wisdom 3:1 — Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions
What does Wisdom 3:1 say?
Wisdom 3:1 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.”
Where is Wisdom 3:1 in the Bible?
Wisdom 3:1 is found in the Apocrypha, in the book of Wisdom, chapter 3, verse 1.
Who wrote Wisdom?
Wisdom is traditionally attributed to Anonymous Hellenistic Jewish sage (pseudonymously Solomon). Written in elegant Greek; the author casts himself in Solomon's voice as a literary convention common in Jewish wisdom literature. It was written c. 50 BC – AD 50.
What is the book of Wisdom about?
The Wisdom of Solomon is a meditation in three movements: the destinies of the righteous and the wicked (chs. 1–5), an extended hymn to personified Wisdom (chs. 6–10), and a retelling of the Exodus showing God's mercy and judgment in salvation history (chs. 11–19). It defends Israel's faith against idolatry, articulates an explicit hope of immortality, and presents Wisdom as a divine attribute "more beautiful than the sun" — language later echoed in New Testament Christology.
What are the major themes of Wisdom?
Wisdom explores themes including Wisdom, Immortality, Righteousness, Providence, Idolatry. These themes shape the meaning and context of Wisdom 3:1.
What translation should I read Wisdom 3:1 in?
Wisdom 3:1 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Wisdom 3:1?
Wisdom 3:1 reads (KJVA): “But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.