But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. But the wicked shall receive punishment by their own counsels, because they despised the righteous and forsook the Lord; for whoever despises wisdom and discipline is wretched. Indeed, their hope is vain, and their labours bear no fruit, and their works are profitless. For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the germ of understanding is deeply rooted. And though they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor comfort in the day of reckoning.

In the sight of the foolish, they seemed to die; and their departure was accounted misery.

And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace.

For though they were punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.

And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.

As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as an acceptable burnt offering.

And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble.

They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the peoples, and their Lord shall reign forever.

They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his chosen.

Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked.

And their offspring is cursed: but blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which hath not known a sinful bed; she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls.

And blessed is the eunuch which hath wrought no lawless hand, nor imagined wicked things against the Lord: for unto him shall be given a special grace for his faithfulness, and a delightful lot in the temple of the Lord.

But the children of adulterers shall not attain their full stature, and the seed of an unlawful bed shall utterly perish.

For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without honour.

For the end of the unrighteous generation is formidable.