Chapter 3
The happiness of the just: and the unhappiness of the wicked.
1But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.2In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:3And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.4And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.5Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.6As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them.7The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.8They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.9They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect.10But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord.11For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable.12Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked.13Their offspring is cursed: for happy is the barren: and the undefiled, that hath not known bed in sin: she shall have fruit in the visitation of holy souls.14And the eunuch, that hath not wrought iniquity with his hands, nor thought wicked things against God: for the precious gift of faith shall be given to him, and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God.15For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of wisdom never faileth.16But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out.17And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour.18And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor speech of comfort in the day of trial.19For dreadful are the ends of a wicked race.