Wisdom of Solomon 3:13-4:15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
On Childlessness
13 For blessed is the barren woman who is undefiled,
who has not entered into a sinful union;
she will have fruit when God examines souls.(A)
14 Blessed also is the eunuch whose hands have done no lawless deed
and who has not devised wicked things against the Lord,
for special favor will be shown him for his faithfulness
and a place of great delight in the temple of the Lord.(B)
15 For the fruit of good labors is renowned,
and the root of understanding does not fail.(C)
16 But children of adulterers will not come to maturity,
and the offspring of an unlawful union will perish.(D)
17 Even if they live long they will be held of no account,
and finally their old age will be without honor.
18 If they die young, they will have no hope
and no consolation on the day of judgment.
19 For the end of an unrighteous generation is grievous.
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 mortals.(E)
2 When it is present, people imitate[b] it,
and they long for it when it has gone;
throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph,
victor in the contest for prizes that are undefiled.(F)
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.(G)
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.(H)
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.(I)
6 For children born of unlawful unions
are witnesses of evil against their parents when God examines them.[c](J)
7 But the righteous, even if they die early, will be at rest.
8 For old age is not honored for length of time
or measured by number of years,
9 but understanding is gray hair for anyone,
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 was taken up.(K)
11 He was caught up so that evil might not change his understanding
or guile deceive his soul.(L)
12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good,
and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.(M)
13 Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years,(N)
14 for his soul was pleasing to the Lord;
therefore he hastened him from the midst of wickedness.(O)
Yet the peoples saw and did not understand
or take such a thing to heart,
15 that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect
and that he watches over his holy ones.(P)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.