The Wisdom of Solomon

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 4 -

The difference between the chaste and the adulterous generations: and between the death of the just and the wicked.

O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men.

When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.

But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive, and bastard slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast foundation.

And if 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.

For the branches not being perfect, shall be broken, and their fruits shall be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and fit for nothing.

For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.

But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest.

For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs.

And a spotless life is old age.

He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners he was translated.

He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.

For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.

Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time:

For his soul pleased God: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities: but the people see this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their hearts:

That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen.

But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust.

For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not understand what God hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety.

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

And they shall fall after this without honour, and be a reproach among the dead for ever: for he shall burst them puffed up and speechless, and shall shake them from the foundations, and they shall be utterly laid waste: they shall be in sorrow, and their memory shall perish.

They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them.

The difference between the chaste and the adulterous generations: and between the death of the just and the wicked.

It is better to be childless with virtue, for immortality is in the memory of virtue, because it is recognized both before God and before men.

When it is present, people imitate it. They long after it when it has departed. Throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph, victorious in the competition for the prizes that are undefiled.

But the multiplying brood of the ungodly will be of no profit, and their illegitimate offshoots won’t take deep root, nor will they establish a sure hold.

For even if they grow branches and flourish for a season, standing unsure, they will be shaken by the wind. They will be uprooted by the violence of winds.

Their branches will be broken off before they come to maturity. Their fruit will be useless, never ripe to eat, and fit for nothing.

For unlawfully conceived children are witnesses of wickedness against parents when they are investigated.

But a righteous man, even if he dies before his time, will be at rest.

For honorable old age is not that which stands in length of time, nor is its measure given by number of years,

but understanding is gray hair to men, and an unspotted life is ripe old age.

Being found well-pleasing to God, someone was loved. While living among sinners he was transported.

He was caught away, lest evil should change his understanding, or guile deceive his soul.

For the fascination of wickedness obscures the things which are good, and the whirl of desire perverts an innocent mind.

Being made perfect quickly, he filled a long time;

for his soul was pleasing to the Lord. Therefore he hurried out of the midst of wickedness.

But the peoples saw and didn’t understand, not considering this, that grace and mercy are with his chosen, and that he visits his holy ones;

but a righteous man who is dead will condemn the ungodly who are living, and youth who is quickly perfected will condemn the many years of an unrighteous man’s old age.

For the ungodly will see a wise man’s end, and won’t understand what the Lord planned for him, and why he safely kept him.

They will see, and they will despise; but the Lord will laugh them to scorn. After this, they will become a dishonored carcass and a reproach among the dead forever;

because he will dash them speechless to the ground, and will shake them from the foundations. They will lie utterly waste. They will be in anguish and their memory will perish.

They will come with coward fear when their sins are counted. Their lawless deeds will convict them to their face.