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Chapter 3

 

3:1
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no
torment touch them. 2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their
departure is taken for misery, 3 And their going from us to be utter
destruction: but they are in peace. 4 For though they be punished in the sight
of men, yet is their hope full of immortality.

 

5
And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God
proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 6 As gold in the furnace hath
he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering.

 

7
And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like
sparks among the stubble. 8 They shall judge the nations, and have dominion
over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. 9 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 saints, and he hath care for his
elect. 10 But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own
imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the Lord.

 

11
For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is
vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works unprofitable: 12 Their wives
are foolish, and their children wicked:

 

13
Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled,
which hath not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in the visitation of
souls.

 

14
And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands hath wrought no iniquity, nor
imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be given the special
gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the Lord more acceptable to
his mind. 15 For glorious is the fruit of good labours: and the root of wisdom
shall never fall away.

 

16
As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their perfection, and
the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out. 17 For though they live
long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without
honour. 18 Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the
day of trial. 19 For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation.