Good News Translation
There was only a dreadful fire, lit by no human hand, that shone on them, and in their terror they believed that the real world was even worse than the things they imagined.

New Revised Standard Version
The delusions of their magic art lay humbled, and their boasted wisdom was scornfully rebuked.

Contemporary English Version
And when lightning flashed, the fearsome sight was worse than the darkness.

New American Bible
And mockeries of their magic art failed, and there was a humiliating refutation of their vaunted shrewdness.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But there appeared to them a sudden fire, very dreadful: and being struck with the fear of that face, which was not seen, they thought the things which they saw to be worse:

But there appeared to them a sudden fire, very dreadful: and being struck with the fear of that face, which was not seen, they thought the things which they saw to be worse:

Wisdom 17:4
For neither did the den that held them, keep them from fear: for noises coming down troubled them, and sad visions appearing to them, affrighted them.

Wisdom 17:5
And no power of fire could give them light, neither could the bright flames of the stars enlighten that horrible night.

Wisdom 17:7
And the delusions of their magic art were put down, and their boasting of wisdom was reproachfully rebuked.

Wisdom 17:8
For they who promised to drive away fears and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of a fear worthy to be laughed at.