Wisdom 4

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men.	1 Better is childlessness with virtue; for immortal is its memory: because both by God is it acknowledged, and by men.
2 When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.	2 When it is present men imitate it, and they long for it when it is gone; And forever it marches crowned in triumph, victorious in unsullied deeds of valor.
3 But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive, and bastard slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast foundation.	3 But the numerous progeny of the wicked shall be of no avail; their spurious offshoots shall not strike deep root nor take firm hold.
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 For even though their branches flourish for a time, they are unsteady and shall be rocked by the wind and, by the violence of the winds, uprooted;
5 For the branches not being perfect, shall be broken, and their fruits shall be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and fit for nothing.	5 Their twigs shall be broken off untimely, and their fruit be useless, unripe for eating, and fit for nothing.
6 For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.	6 For children born of lawless unions give evidence of the wickedness of their parents, when they are examined.
7 But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest.	7 But the just man, though he die early, shall be at rest.
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.	8 For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years.
9 And a spotless life is old age.	9 Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
10 He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners he was translated.	10 He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported--
11 He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.	11 Snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul;
12 For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.	12 For the witchery of paltry things obscures what is right and the whirl of desire transforms the innocent mind.
13 Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time:	13 Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career;
14 For his soul pleased God: 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:	14 for his soul was pleasing to the LORD, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into account.
15 That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen.	15
16 But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust.	16 Yes, the just man dead condemns the sinful who live, and youth swiftly completed condemns the many years of the wicked man grown old.
17 For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not understand what God hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety.	17 For they see the death of the wise man and do not understand what the LORD intended for him, or why he made him secure.
18 They shall see him, and shall despise him: but the Lord shall laugh them to scorn.	18 They see, and hold him in contempt; but the LORD laughs them to scorn.
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.	19 And they shall afterward become dishonored corpses and an unceasing mockery among the dead. For he shall strike them down speechless and prostrate and rock them to their foundations; They shall be utterly laid waste and shall be in grief and their memory shall perish.
20 They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them.	20 Fearful shall they come, at the counting up of their sins, and their lawless deeds shall convict them to their face.