1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, And no torture will ever touch them.
2 In the eyes of the undiscerning they seemed to have died, And their departure was considered to be misfortune,
3 And their passage from us to be their destruction; But they are at peace.
4 For though in man's view they were punished, Their hope is full of immortality .
5 Though chastened in a few things, Great kindness will be shown them, For God tested them and found them worthy of Himself.
6 He tested them like gold in a furnace And accepted them as a whole burnt offering.
7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, And they will run about like sparks through straw.
8 They will judge nations and rule over peoples, And the Lord shall reign over them unto the ages.
9 Those who trust in Him will understand truth, And the faithful shall continue with Him in love, Because grace and mercy are upon His elect.
10 But the ungodly shall experience The punishment they themselves plotted, They who rejected the righteous man And rebelled against the Lord.
11 For whoever despises wisdom and instruction is miserable, And their hope is vain, their labors are useless, And their works are worthless.
12 Their wives are foolish, And their children are evil, their existence accursed.
13 Blessed is the undefiled barren woman Who has not known sexual promiscuity ; She shall have fruit in the visitation of souls.
14 Blessed also is the eunuch who has done no lawless deed, Nor thought evil things against the Lord; For a chosen grace of faith will be given to him, And a delightful portion in the temple of the Lord.
15 For the fruit of good labors is of good report, And the root of discernment is infallible.
16 But the children of adulterers shall not reach maturity, And the seed of a lawless bed shall perish.
17 For even if they live a long time They shall be considered as nothing, And in the end their old age will be accounted a dishonor.
18 But if they should die young, they would have no hope Nor consolation in the day of decision.
19 For the end of an unrighteous generation is grievous