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.
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.
3 But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep rooting from bastard slips,
nor lay any fast foundation.
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.
5 The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for
nothing.
6 For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.
8 For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years.
11 Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile
his soul.
12 For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence
doth undermine the simple mind.
15 This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace
and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.
16 Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; and youth that is soon perfected
the many years and old age of the unrighteous.
17 For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in his counsel hath decreed
of him, and to what end the Lord hath set him in safety.
18 They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to scorn: and they shall hereafter be a
vile carcase, and a reproach among the dead for evermore.