Wisdom:4

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Better it is to have no children , and to have virtue : for the memorial thereof is immortal : because it is known with God , and with men . * When it is present , men take example at it ; and when it is gone , they desire it : it weareth a crown , and triumpheth for ever , having gotten the victory , striving for undefiled rewards . * But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive , nor take deep rooting from bastard slips , nor lay any fast foundation . * For though they flourish in branches for a time ; yet standing not last , they shall be shaken with the wind , and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out . * The imperfect branches shall be broken off , their fruit unprofitable , not ripe to eat , yea , meet for nothing . * For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial . * But though the righteous be prevented with death , yet shall he be in rest . * For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time , nor that is measured by number of years . * But wisdom is the gray hair unto men , and an unspotted life is old age . * He pleased God , and was beloved of him : so that living among sinners he was translated . * Yea speedily was he taken away , lest that wickedness should alter his understanding , or deceit beguile his soul . * For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest ; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind . * He , being made perfect in a short time , fulfilled a long time : * For his soul pleased the Lord : therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked . * This the people saw , and understood it not , neither laid they up this in their minds , That his grace and mercy is with his saints , and that he hath respect unto his chosen . * Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living ; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous . * For they shall see the end of the wise , and shall not understand what God in his counsel hath decreed of him , and to what end the Lord hath set him in safety . * They shall see him , and despise him ; but God shall laugh them to scorn : and they shall hereafter be a vile carcase , and a reproach among the dead for evermore . * For he shall rend them , and cast them down headlong , that they shall be speechless ; and he shall shake them from the foundation ; and they shall be utterly laid waste , and be in sorrow ; and their memorial shall perish . * And when they cast up the accounts of their sins , they shall come with fear : and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face .

---