(For he that setteth at nought wisdom and discipline is miserable;) and void is their hope and their toils unprofitable, and useless are their works: Their wives are foolish, and wicked are their children; Accursed is their begetting. Because happy is the barren that is undefiled, she who hath not conceived in transgression; she shall have fruit when God visiteth souls. And happy is the eunuch which hath wrought no lawless deed with his hands, nor imagined wicked things against the Lord; for there shall be given him for his faithfulness a peculiar favour, and a lot in the sanctuary of the Lord more delightsome than wife or children. For good labours have fruit of great renown; and the root of understanding cannot fail. But children of adulterers shall not come to maturity, and the seed of an unlawful bed shall vanish away. For if they live long, they shall be held in no account, and at the last their old age shall be without honour. And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor in the day of decision shall they have consolation. For the end of an unrighteous generation is always grievous. =4= Better than this is childlessness with virtue; for in the memory of virtue is immortality: because it is recognised both before God and before men. When it is present, men imitate it; and they long after it when it is departed: and throughout all time it marcheth crowned in triumph, victorious in the strife for the prizes that are undefiled. But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall be of no profit, and with bastard slips they shall not strike deep root, nor shall they establish a sure hold. For even if these put forth boughs and flourish for a season, yet, standing unsure, they shall be shaken by the wind, and by the violence of winds they shall be rooted out. Their branches shall be broken off before they come to maturity, and their fruit shall be useless, never ripe to eat, and fit for nothing. For children unlawfully begotten are witnesses of wickedness against parents when God searcheth them out. * * * * * But a righteous man, though he die before his time, shall be at rest. (For honourable old age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor is its measure given by number of years: But understanding is gray hairs unto men, and an unspotted life is ripe old age.) Being found well-pleasing unto God he was beloved of him, and while living among sinners he was translated: He was caught away, lest wickedness should change his understanding, or guile deceive his soul. (For the bewitching of naughtiness bedimmeth the things which are good, and the giddy whirl of desire perverteth an innocent mind.) Being made perfect in a little while, he fulfilled long years; For his soul was pleasing unto the Lord: therefore hasted he out of the midst of wickedness.