1 The souls of thosewho have pleased Godare safe in his handsand protected from pain.
2 Only in the minds of the foolishare those people deadand their death considereda disaster
3 or a destruction.In fact, they are at peace
4 and destined never to die,though others may have thoughtthey were being punished.
5 They will be richly rewarded,because God tested themfor a whileand found them worthyof being his children.
6 God tested them like goldin a fiery furnace,and he accepted themlike a pleasing sacrifice.
7 When God shows them mercy,they will be like shining sparkssetting weeds on fire.
8 The Lord will rule them foreverand let them rule over nations.
9 All of God's faithful peoplewill understand truthand live with him in love,because God is kind and mercifulto those he choosesto be his holy people.
10 The wicked will be punished,as their evil thoughts deserve.They rebelled against the Lordand abused his people.
11 They are terribly miserable,because they reject wisdomand sound advice.Their future is hopeless,and everything they dois completely useless.
12 Their wives are foolish;their children are evil
13 and under God's curse.A wife who remains faithfulwill be given childrenat a time that God decides.
14 Men who remain faithful to Godand do good deedswill receive special blessingsand be given honored positionsin the temple of the Lord,even though they may be unableto have children.
15 Remember that good deedsare easily recognized—they are like fruit on a vinethat has wisdom as its roots.
16 But children born to personswho have committedsome terrible sexual sinwill die before they grow up.
17 Even if they live a long time,they won't be respected.
18 And if they die in their youth,they will be without hopeon the day of judgment,
19 because misery is the rewardfor doing evil.