Wisdom Of Solomon 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 fast, 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 grey 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 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 account
of their sins, they shall come with fear: and their own iniquities shall
convince them to their face.