Verily, virginity with virtue is more beautiful; for it hath an immortal remembrance, because it is known of God and of men. For they behold the death of the wise, but they understand not what the Lord purposed concerning him, nor why He removed him to His sanctuary.

When it is present, it is emulated; and when it is absent, it is longed for. And throughout the ages, it glories in the crown of victory after its triumph in the pure battlefields.

But the multitude of the hypocrites, though they be fruitful, shall not prosper; and their illegitimate offspring shall not take deep root, nor shall they stand upon a firm foundation.

And though they put forth branches for a time, yet for want of firmness, the wind shall shake them, and the whirlwind shall tear them up.

So shall their branches be broken before their completion, and their fruit shall be vile, unripe for eating, and fit for nothing.

And those born of the sinful bed shall bear witness to the lewdness of their parents when their condition is interrogated.

But the righteous, though he be overtaken by death, shall be at rest.

For honorable old age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that which is measured by number of years.

But the hoary head of man is understanding, and the age of old age is a life unblemished.

He was pleasing unto God, and He loved him; and living amongst sinners, He translated him.

He snatched him away, lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.

For the charm of vanities obscureth good, and the giddiness of lust perverteth the sound mind.

He came to perfection in a short time, and fulfilled long years.

And his soul being pleasing unto the Lord, he was speedily taken from amongst the wicked. But the people saw and understood not, neither did they lay this to heart.

That grace and mercy are to His elect, and His visitation to His holy ones.

But the righteous, who hath died, shall condemn the hypocrites after him; and swift youth shall condemn the old age of the ungodly, though it be full of years.

They shall see and despise, and the Lord shall laugh them to scorn.

They shall fall afterward with dishonorable fall, and shall be a reproach among the dead for evermore. For He shall break them, and they shall be speechless and bowed down; and He shall pluck them up from their foundations, and their ruin shall be complete, and they shall be in anguish, and their memory shall perish.

They shall come with trembling at the remembrance of their sins, and their iniquities shall confront them to their faces.