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.

Continued...

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.

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