Wisdom 5:1-5
Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them and taken away their labours. These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation, saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for anguish of spirit: These are they whom we had some time in derision and for a parable of reproach. We fools esteemed their life madness and their end without honour; behold how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the Saints.
Haydock
Verse 1. Then. At the day of judgment. The just and the reprobate know each other’s condition. Lu. xvi. 20. — Labours. Defrauding them of their wages, (Lev. xix. 13.) or plundering them. Sept. “despised, (C.) or frustrated his labours.” H. — Worldlings deride those who strive to obtain the goods of eternity, (C.) and think they labour in vain. W.
Verse 3. Within. Or among themselves. — Repenting. In despair. — Reproach. We diverted ourselves with turning them to ridicule. C. — This change of sentiment (H.) proceeds not from the love of virtue, and is useless. W.
Verse 5. God. As they styled themselves truly, through the merits of Christ. C. ii. 18.