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Chapter 4

 

4:1
Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the memorial thereof
is immortal: because it is known with God, and with men. 2 When it is present,
men take example at it; and when it is gone, they desire it: it weareth a
crown, and triumpheth for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for
undefiled rewards.

 

3
But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep
rooting from bastard slips, nor lay any fast foundation. 4 For though they flourish
in branches for a time; yet standing not last, they shall be shaken with the
wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out. 5 The imperfect
branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea,
meet for nothing. 6 For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of
wickedness against their parents in their trial. 7 But though the righteous be
prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.

 

8
For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is
measured by number of years. 9 But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an
unspotted life is old age. 10 He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that
living among sinners he was translated. 11 Yea speedily was he taken away, lest
that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 12
For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the
wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. 13 He, being made
perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: 14 For his soul pleased the
Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked. 15 This the
people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds,
That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his
chosen.

 

16
Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; and
youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous. 17
For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in
his counsel hath decreed of him, and to what end the Lord hath set him in
safety. 18 They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to
scorn: and they shall hereafter be a vile carcase, and a reproach among the
dead for evermore. 19 For he shall rend them, and cast them down headlong, that
they shall be speechless; and he shall shake them from the foundation; and they
shall be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial shall perish.
20 And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall come with fear:
and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face.