3:1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. 3:2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery, 3:3 And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace. 3:4 For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. 3:5 And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself. 3:6 As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering. 3:7 And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble. 3:8 They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. 3:9 They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect. 3:10 But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the Lord. 3:11 For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works unprofitable: 3:12 Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked: 3:13 Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which hath not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls. 3:14 And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands hath wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the Lord more acceptable to his mind. 3:15 For glorious is the fruit of good labours: and the root of wisdom shall never fall away. 3:16 As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out. 3:17 For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without honour. 3:18 Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the day of trial. 3:19 For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation. 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. 4:2 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. 4:3 But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep rooting from bastard slips, nor lay any fast foundation. 4:4 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. 4:5 The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing.