17 “So test what they sayby watching them die.
18 If those so-called good peoplereally are God's children,he will look after them.
19 We will insult and torture themto find out how gentleand patient they are.
20 We will sentence themto a shameful death—after all, they have saidthat they will be protected.”
21 That's the reasoning of thosewho are evil, and they areboth blind and foolish.
22 They don't understandwhat God has in mind,and they don't know the rewardfor living right.
23 God created us to live forever,just as he himself does.