²³ God created humans to live forever. He made them as a perfect representation of his own unique identity. ²⁴ Death entered the universe only through the devil’s envy. Those who belong to the devil’s party experience death.^[a]

Reward and punishment after death

3 The souls of those who do what is right are in God’s hand. They won’t feel the pain of torment. ² To those who don’t know any better, it seems as if they have died. Their departure from this life was considered their misfortune. ³ Their leaving us seemed to be their destruction, but in reality they are at peace. ⁴ It may look to others as if they have been punished, but they have the hope of living forever. ⁵ They were disciplined a little, but they will be rewarded with abundant good things, because God tested them and found that they deserve to be with him. ⁶ He tested them like gold in the furnace; he accepted them like an entirely burned offering. ⁷ Then, when the time comes for judgment, the godly will burst forth and run about like fiery sparks among dry straw. ⁸ The godly will judge nations and hold power over peoples, even as the Lord will rule over them forever. ⁹ Those who trust in the Lord will know the truth. Those who are faithful will always be with him in love. Favor and mercy belong to the holy ones. God watches over God’s chosen ones.

⁷ “Would any of you say to your servant, who had just come in from the field after plowing or tending sheep, ‘Come! Sit down for dinner’? ⁸ Wouldn’t you say instead, ‘Fix my dinner. Put on the clothes of a table servant and wait on me while I eat and drink. After that, you can eat and drink’? ⁹ You won’t thank the servant because the servant did what you asked, will you? ¹⁰ In the same way, when you have done everything required of you, you should say, ‘We servants deserve no special praise. We have only done our duty.’”