1 Childlessness with virtue is better than this, For immortality is in its memory; Because it is known both by God and by man.
2 When virtue is present, people imitate it, And when it goes away, they long for it. Throughout one's lifetime, Virtue leads the struggle for undefiled prizes, Wearing a crown and conquering.
3 But the prolific multitude of the ungodly are useful to no one, And none of their illegitimate seedlings will grow a deep root or establish a sure footing.
4 For although they may flourish in their branches for a time, yet without a sure footing they will be shaken by the wind and uprooted by the force of the winds.
5 Their twigs shall be broken off before they reach maturity, And their fruit will be useless, not ripe for eating or good for any thing.
6 For children born from lawless unions Are witnesses of evil against their parents in their close examination.
7 But though a righteous man may die before his time, he shall be at rest.
8 For old age is not honored for its length of existence, nor measured by its number of years;
9 But discernment is gray hair for mankind, and a spotless life is the maturity of old age.
10 There was once a man pleasing to God and loved by Him, And while living among sinners he was taken up.
11 He was caught up lest evil change his understanding Or deceit deceive his soul.
12 For envy arising from lack of judgment obscures what is good, And a whirling of desire undermines an innocent heart.
13 He was made perfect, For in a short time he fulfilled long years,
14 For his soul was pleasing to the Lord; Therefore, He took him early from the midst of evil. Yet peoples saw this but did not understand, Nor take such a thing to heart,
15 That the Lord's grace and mercy are with His elect And that He watches over His holy ones.
16 But a righteous man who is dead Shall condemn the ungodly who are living, And a youth who is quickly perfected Shall condemn the ripe old age of a wrongdoer.
17 For they will see the end of the wise man, But will not understand what the Lord purposed for him Or why He kept him safe.
18 They will see and despise him, But the Lord will laugh them to scorn.
19 After this they shall be dead without honor And an insult among the dead continually; Because He will dash them headlong and speechless to the ground And shake them from the foundations. They shall be left dry and barren to the very end; They shall be in pain, And their memory shall perish.
20 They will come with dread In the day of reckoning for their sins, And their lawless deeds will convict them to their face.