| 1 But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. |
| 2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction |
| 3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. |
| 4 For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; |
| 5 Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. |
| 6 As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. |
| 7 In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; |
| 8 They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. |
| 9 Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect. |
| 10 But the wicked shall receive a punishment to match their thoughts, since they neglected justice and forsook the LORD. |
| 11 For he who despises wisdom and instruction is doomed. Vain is their hope, fruitless are their labors, and worthless are their works. |
| 12 Their wives are foolish and their children wicked; accursed is their brood. |
| 13 Yes, blessed is she who, childless and undefiled, knew not transgression of the marriage bed; she shall bear fruit at the visitation of souls. |
| 14 So also the eunuch whose hand wrought no misdeed, who held no wicked thoughts against the LORD- For he shall be given fidelity's choice reward and a more gratifying heritage in the LORD'S temple. |
| 15 For the fruit of noble struggles is a glorious one; and unfailing is the root of understanding. |
| 16 But the children of adulterers will remain without issue, and the progeny of an unlawful bed will disappear. |
| 17 For should they attain long life, they will be held in no esteem, and dishonored will their old age be at last; |
| 18 While should they die abruptly, they have no hope nor comfort in the day of scrutiny; |
| 19 for dire is the end of the wicked generation. |