Destiny of the Righteous 11

“WISDOM OVERVIEW #5 & 6“

WISDOM—Chapter 3

The Destiny of the Righteous

Wisdom is a special capacity, necessary for full human living; it can be acquired through education and the application of the mind.

The Destiny of the Righteous

1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them.

2 In the eyes of the foolish, the righteous appear to die; their passing is considered a misfortune.

3 They seem to be on their way to destruction, but they are really at peace.

4 And though they appear to suffer punishment, immortality has made their hope complete.

5 The righteous may suffer a little in this life, but they will be well rewarded, for God has tested them and found them worthy to join him.

6 He has tried them like gold purified by fire and has accepted them as he accepts a whole burnt offering.

7 In their time of judgment, the righteous will shine; they will destroy their enemies.*

8 They will govern nations and rule over people, and the Lord will reign over them forever.

9 Those who trust in the Lord will understand truth, and the faithful will live with him in love. For he shows grace and mercy to his chosen ones. The Destiny of the Wicked

10 But the wicked will be punished as their thoughts deserve, for they neglected justice and rebelled against the Lord.

11 Those who reject wisdom and instruction are miserable; their hope is in vain, their labors bear no fruit, and their work is pointless.

12 Their wives are foolish, their children are depraved, and their offspring are cursed. The Rewards of Righteousness

13 God blesses the childless woman who remains pure, who has not entered into a sinful sexual relationship. She will be rewarded when God comes to judge people.

14 God also blesses the eunuch whose hands have done no wrong, who has no wicked thoughts against the Lord. Special favor will be given to him for his faithfulness, and he will be given a place of honor in the Lord’s Temple.

15 For everyone knows that good labor yields good fruit, and wisdom is a strong and nourishing root.

16 But the children of adulterers will not reach maturity; the offspring of a sinful relationship will disappear.

17 Even if they live long, they will not be esteemed; they will receive no honor in their old age.

18 And if they die young, they will have no hope and no consolation on the day of judgment,

19 for harsh is the end of a wicked generation.

WISDOM—Chapter 4

1 It is better to be childless than to lack virtue. For virtuous people will live on forever since they are honored by God and by people.

2 When virtue is present, people imitate it, and when it is absent, they long for it. Forever it marches, crowned in triumph, honorably winning lasting rewards.

3 The numerous offspring of the ungodly will not thrive; their illegitimate seedlings will not take deep root or gain a firm hold.

4 They may flourish for a time, but they will be shaken by the wind because of their shallow roots and uprooted by the force of the storm.

5 The young branches will be broken off, and their fruit will be useless, not ripe enough to eat and good for nothing.

6 For children who are born of sinful relationships will be evidence of their parents’ wickedness when judgment comes.

7 But the righteous, though they may die young, will be at rest.

8 Honor is not gained merely by a long life, nor is it measured by a person’s age;

9 but understanding comes with gray hair, and a blameless life brings the honor of ripe old age.

10 Once such a man pleased God and was loved by him. While living among sinners, he was taken from the earth.

11 He was taken away so evil could not undermine his judgment nor deceit seduce his soul.

12 For fascination with wickedness obscures what is truly good, and unrestrained desire perverts the innocent mind.

13 He was made perfect in his few short years, as though he had lived a long life.

14 Since his soul pleased the Lord, the Lord quickly took him from the wickedness around him.

15 Yet the people saw this and did not understand it; they did not take these things to heart: that God shows grace and mercy to his chosen ones and that he watches over his holy ones. Terror for the Wicked

16 The righteous who have died condemn the wicked who are living, and the youth who is made perfect in a short life condemns the long life of the unjust.

17 The unjust will see the end of the wise, but they will not understand what the Lord has designed for them and why he has taken them to safety.

18 The unjust will see them and despise them, but the Lord will laugh at the unjust.

19 They will become dishonored corpses; they will be a reproach among the dead forever. He will throw them down speechless and will shake them from their foundations. They will be completely abandoned and left to suffer grief. Even the memory of them will perish.

20 They will be filled with dread when their sins are recounted, and their crimes will convict them.