Wisdom, 3
The happiness of the just: and the unhappiness of the wicked.
[1] But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. •
[2] In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery: •
[3] And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace. •
[4] And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.
[5] Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself. •
[6] As gold in the furnace, he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust, he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them. •
[7] The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds. •
[8] They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. •
[9] They that trust in him shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love, shall rest in him: for grace and peace are to his elect. •
[10] But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord. •
[11] For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable.
[12] Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked. •
[13] Their offspring is cursed, for happy is the barren: and the undefiled, that hath not known bed in sin, she shall have fruit in the visitation of holy souls. •
[14] And the eunuch, that hath not wrought iniquity with his hands, nor thought wicked things against God for the precious gift of faith shall be given to him, and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God. •
[15] For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of wisdom never faileth. •
[16] But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out. •
[17] And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour.
[18] And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor speech of comfort in the day of trial. •
[19] For dreadful are the ends of a wicked race.