Wisdom 4

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 O how beautiful is the chaste fruit of purity! For its remembrance is immortal, because it is observed both with God and with 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2 When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.	2 When it is present, they imitate it, and they desire it when it has withdrawn itself, and it triumphs crowned forever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.
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 great number of the many different kinds of the impious will not be to their advantage, and spurious seedlings will not be given deep roots, nor will they establish any firm foundation.
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 And if they spring forth with branches for a time, yet, being set infirmly, they will be shaken by the wind, and, by the superabundance of the winds, they will be eradicated.
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 For the incomplete branches will be broken, and their fruits will be useless, and bitter to eat, 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 all the sons born from iniquity are witnesses of wickedness against their parents at their interrogation.
7 But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest.	7 But the just, if death seizes him beforehand, will be refreshed.
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 old age is made venerable, neither by lasting long, nor by counting the number of years; yet understanding is the gray hair of wisdom for men,
9 And a spotless life is old age.	9 and an immaculate life is a generation of sages.
10 He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners he was translated.	10 Pleasing to God, having been made beloved, and living among sinners, he was transformed.
11 He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.	11 He was quickly taken away, for malice could not alter his understanding, nor could deceit beguile his soul.
12 For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.	12 For fascination with entertainment obscures good things, and the unfaithfulness of desire subverts the mind without malice.
13 Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time:	13 Completed in a short time, he fulfilled many times.
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 Truly his soul was pleasing to God. Because of this, he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities, but the people see this and do not understand, nor do they place such things in their hearts:
15 That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen.	15 that the grace and mercy of God is with his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.
16 But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust.	16 But the just dead will condemn the impious living, and youth hastily completed results in a long unjust life.
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 will see the end of the wise, and will neither understand, nor imagine, that he is of God, and that therefore the Lord has safeguarded him.
18 They shall see him, and shall despise him: but the Lord shall laugh them to scorn.	18 For they will see and despise him, but the Lord will ridicule them.
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 after this, they will fall without honor and with contempt among the dead forever. Seeing that they are puffed up and speechless, he will shatter them and will shake them from the foundations all the way to the top, to their utter desolation, and they will grieve and their remembrance will perish.
20 They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them.	20 They will hurry with fear at the understanding of their sins, and their iniquities will bear witness against them.