2:21. These things they thought, and were deceived: for their own malice blinded them.
2:22. And they knew not the secrets of G.o.d, nor hoped for the wages of justice, nor esteemed the honour of holy souls.
2:23. For G.o.d created man incorruptible, and to the image of his own likeness he made him.
2:24. But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world:
2:25. And they follow him that are of his side.
Wisdom Chapter 3
The happiness of the just: and the unhappiness of the wicked.
3:1. But the souls of the just are in the hand of G.o.d, and the torment of death shall not touch them.
3:2. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:
3:3. And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.
3:4. And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.
3:5. Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because G.o.d hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.
3:6. 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.
3:7. The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.
3:8. They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.
3:9. 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.
3:10. But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord.
3:11. For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable.
3:12. Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked.
3:13. 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.
3:14. And the eunuch, that hath not wrought iniquity with his hands, nor thought wicked things against G.o.d for the precious gift of faith shall be given to him, and a most acceptable lot in the temple of G.o.d.
3:15. For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of wisdom never faileth.
3:16. But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out.
3:17. And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour.
3:18. And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor speech of comfort in the day of trial.
3:19. For dreadful are the ends of a wicked race.
Wisdom Chapter 4
The difference between the chaste and the adulterous generations: and between the death of the just and the wicked.
4:1. How beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with G.o.d and with men.
4:2. When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it, when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.
4:3. But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive, and b.a.s.t.a.r.d slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast foundation.
4:4. And if they flourish in branches for a time, yet standing not fast, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out.
4:5. For the branches not being perfect, shall be broken, and their fruits shall be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and fit for nothing.
4:6. For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.
4:7. But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest.
4:8. For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs.
4:9. And a spotless life is old age.
4:10. He pleased G.o.d, and was beloved, and living among sinners, he was translated.
4:11. He was taken away, lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.
4:12. For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.
4:13. Being made perfect in a short s.p.a.ce, he fulfilled a long time.
4:14. For his soul pleased G.o.d: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities: but the people see this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their hearts:
4:15. That the grace of G.o.d, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen.
4:16. But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust.
4:17. For they shall see the end of the wise man, and it shall not understand what G.o.d hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety.
4:18. They shall see him, and shall despise him: but the Lord shall laugh them to scorn.
4:19. And they shall fall after this without honour, and be a reproach among the dead for ever: for he shall burst them puffed up and speechless, and shall shake them from the foundations, and they shall be utterly laid waste: they shall be in sorrow, and their memory shall perish.
4:20. They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them.
Wisdom Chapter 5
The fruitless repentance of the wicked in another world: the reward of the just.