Part 749

2:17. Let us see then if his words be true, and let us prove what shall happen to him, and we shall know what his end shall be.

2:18. For if he be the true son of God, he will defend him, and will deliver him from the hands of his enemies.

2:19. Let us examine him by outrages and tortures, that we may know his meekness, and try his patience.

2:20. Let us condemn him to a most shameful death: for there shall be respect had unto him by his words.

2:21. These things they thought, and were deceived: for their own malice blinded them.

2:22. And they knew not the secrets of God, nor hoped for the wages of justice, nor esteemed the honour of holy souls.

2:23. For God created man incorruptible, and to the image of his own likeness he made him.

2:24. But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world:

2:25. And they follow him that are of his side.

Wisdom Chapter 3

The happiness of the just: and the unhappiness of the wicked.

3:1. But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.

3:2. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:

3:3. And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.

3:4. And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.

3:5. Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.

3:6. 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.

3:7. The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.

3:8. They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

3:9. They that trust in him shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love, shall rest in him: for grace and peace are to his elect.

3:10. But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord.

3:11. For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable.

3:12. Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked.

3:13. 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.

3:14. 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.

3:15. For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of wisdom never faileth.

3:16. But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out.

3:17. And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour.