Wisdom 3

1But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.● 2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:● 3And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.● 4And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.● 5Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.● 6As 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.● 7The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.● 8They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.● 9They 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.● 10But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord.● 11For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable.● 12Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked.● 13Their 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.● 14And 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.● 15For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of wisdom never faileth.● 16But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out.● 17And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour.● 18And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor speech of comfort in the day of trial.● 19For dreadful are the ends of a wicked race.●