The Book of Wisdom or The Wisdom of Solomon 4

1Better than this is childishness with virtue; of virtue is immortality: Gr. of it. 2When it is present, men imitate it; throughout all time it marcheth crowned in triumph, Gr. in the age. 3But the multiplying brood of the ungodly will be of no profit, with bastard Gr. from slips they will not strike deep root, Or, offshoots 4For even if these put forth boughs and flourish for a season, q1 Gr. in boughs flourish. Yet, standing unsure, they will be shaken by the wind, 5Their branches will be broken off before they come to maturity, will be useless, 6For children unlawfully begotten are witnesses of wickedness God searcheth them out. 7But a righteous man, though he die before his time, will be at rest. 8(For honorable old age is not that which stands in length of time, 9But understanding is gray hairs to men, 10Being found well-pleasing to God he was beloved of him, 11He was caught away, lest wickedness should change his understanding, Or, malice 12(For the bewitching of naughtiness bedimmeth the things which are good, 13Being made perfect in a little while, he fulfilled long years; Gr. times. 14For his soul was pleasing to the Lord: hurried he out of the midst of wickedness. Or, he hastened him away 15But as for the peoples, seeing and understanding not, this to heart, Gr. such a thing as this. he visiteth his holy ones:— Gr. his visitation is with. 16But a righteous man that is dead will condemn the ungodly that are living, 17For the ungodly will see a wise man’s end, 18They will see, and they will despise; a reproach among the dead forever: Or, be for outrage 19Because he will dash them speechless to the ground, lie utterly waste, and they will be in anguish, Or, be a perpetual desolation 20They will come, when their sins are reckoned up, with coward fear; Or, when they reckon up their sins