3:1 But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.

3:2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:

3:3 And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.

3:4 And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.

3:5 Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.

3:6 As 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.

3:7 The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.

3:8 They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

3:9 They that trust in him shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love, shall rest in him: for grace and peace are to his elect.

3:10 But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord.

3:11 For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable.

3:12 Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked.

3:13 Their 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.

3:14 And 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.

3:15 For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of wisdom never faileth.

3:16 But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out.

3:17 And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour.

3:18 And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor speech of comfort in the day of trial.

3:19 For dreadful are the ends of a wicked race.