1 The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,and no torment shall touch them.
2 They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;and their passing away was thought an affliction
3 and their going forth from us, utter destruction.But they are in peace.
4 For if to others, indeed, they seem punished,yet is their hope full of immortality;
5 Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,because God tried themand found them worthy of himself.
6 As gold in the furnace, he proved them,and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
7 In the time of their judgment they shall shineand dart about as sparks through stubble;