1 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.