Wisdom 4:1-15

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

4 Better than this is childlessness with virtue,
for in the memory of virtue^[a] is immortality,
because it is known both by God and by men.
² When it is present, men imitate^[b] it,
and they long for it when it has gone;
and throughout all time it marches crowned in triumph,
victor in the contest for prizes that are undefiled.
³ But the prolific brood of the ungodly will be of no use,
and none of their illegitimate seedlings will strike a deep root
or take a firm hold.
⁴ For even if they put forth boughs for a while,
standing insecurely they will be shaken by the wind,
and by the violence of the winds they will be uprooted.
⁵ The branches will be broken off before they come to maturity,
and their fruit will be useless,
not ripe enough to eat, and good for nothing.
⁶ For children born of unlawful unions
are witnesses of evil against their parents when God examines them.^[c]

⁷ But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest.
⁸ For old age is not honored for length of time,
nor measured by number of years;
⁹ but understanding is gray hair for men,
and a blameless life is ripe old age.

¹⁰ There was one who pleased God and was loved by him,
and while living among sinners he was taken up.
¹¹ He was caught up lest evil change his understanding
or guile deceive his soul.
¹² For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good,
and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.
¹³ Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years;
¹⁴ for his soul was pleasing to the Lord,
therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness.
¹⁵ Yet the peoples saw and did not understand,
nor take such a thing to heart,
that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect,
and he watches over his holy ones.