The Wisdom of Solomon
Chapter 3
1. Yet trustworthy souls take shelter
within God’s hands
so the traumas of destruction
do not touch them.
2. In the view of the ignorant
they may appear to die
and
their departure can be
construed as miserable.
3. Yes their leaving us
is the ultimate destruction.
But they are in peace.
4. While they may appear to suffer
in the eyes of humans
their spirit is full of immortality.
5. They may be challenged sometimes
but mostly they are rewarded.
Because God has tested them
and found them worthy of trust.
6. Like gold from the furnace
He has screened them
and
like victims of catastrophe
He hath received
them.
Therefore with time
they will be honored.
7. The trustworthy will shine
and will shimmer like reflections
off the water between the reeds.
8. They may examine people
and govern over others
but the Almighty will reign forever.
9. Those who trust in Him
will understand the Truth.
And those who are faithful
in their love
will find rest in Him.
For those who chose Him
receive mercy and peace.
10. Yet the wicked receive consequences
according to their own devices.
They dishonor the holy
and reject the Almighty.
11. For those who reject wisdom
become unhappy as a consequence.
Their goals are typically vain
and their labors find no fruit
and their works find no reward.
12. Their wives become unreasonable
and
their children become hateful.
13. Their offspring become cursed
and satisfied with being barren.
Those not defiled
and haven’t used the bed
for wicked acts
will
be greeted by holy souls.
14. For even the castrate
who has not done harm
to others with deeds
nor considered wickedness
against God
the precious gift of faith
will be granted to them
and considered acceptable
in the temple of God.
15. For the fruit
of devoted works is glorious
and the root of wisdom
will never be pulled up.
16. And followers of perversion
cannot become perfect
and the seeds of wickedness
will become uprooted.
17. Should they live a long life
nothing will be achieved
and their last days
will be without honor.
18. Should they die sooner
they will find no hope
nor comforting speech
on the day of their hearing.
19. For despair results from wickedness.
