Wisdom 3

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.	1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them.
2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction	2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction,
3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.	3 and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace.
4 For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality;	4 For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.
5 Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.	5 Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested 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.	6 like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
7 In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;	7 In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble.
8 They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever.	8 They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever.
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.	9 Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.
10 But the wicked shall receive a punishment to match their thoughts, since they neglected justice and forsook the LORD.	10 But the ungodly will be punished as their reasoning deserves, who disregarded the righteous man and rebelled against 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.	11 for whoever despises wisdom and instruction is miserable. Their hope is vain, their labors are unprofitable, and their works are useless.
12 Their wives are foolish and their children wicked; accursed is their brood.	12 Their wives are foolish, and their children evil;
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.	13 their offspring are accursed. For blessed is the barren woman who is undefiled, who has not entered into a sinful union; she will have fruit when God examines 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.	14 Blessed also is the eunuch whose hands have done no lawless deed, and who has not devised wicked things against the Lord; for special favor will be shown him for his faithfulness, and a place of great delight in the temple of the Lord.
15 For the fruit of noble struggles is a glorious one; and unfailing is the root of understanding.	15 For the fruit of good labors is renowned, and the root of understanding does not fail.
16 But the children of adulterers will remain without issue, and the progeny of an unlawful bed will disappear.	16 But children of adulterers will not come to maturity, and the offspring of an unlawful union will perish.
17 For should they attain long life, they will be held in no esteem, and dishonored will their old age be at last;	17 Even if they live long they will be held of no account, and finally their old age will be without honor.
18 While should they die abruptly, they have no hope nor comfort in the day of scrutiny;	18 If they die young, they will have no hope and no consolation in the day of decision.
19 for dire is the end of the wicked generation.	19 For the end of an unrighteous generation is grievous.