| Chapter 3 |
1 |
But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. -
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2 |
In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery: -
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3 |
And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace. -
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4 |
And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. -
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5 |
Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself. -
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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. -
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7 |
The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds. -
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8 |
They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. -
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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 is to his elect. -
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10 |
But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord. -
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11 |
For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable. -
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12 |
Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked. -
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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. -
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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. -
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15 |
For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of wisdom never faileth. -
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16 |
But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out. -
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17 |
And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour. -
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18 |
And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor speech of comfort in the day of trial. -
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19 |
For dreadful are the ends of a wicked race. -
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