Wisdom

1O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men.

2When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts.

3But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive, and bastard slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast foundation.

4And if they flourish in branches for a time, yet standing not fast, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out.

5For the branches not being perfect, shall be broken, and their fruits shall be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and fit for nothing.

6For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.

7But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest.

8For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs.

9And a spotless life is old age.

10He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners he was translated.

11He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.

12For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.

13Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time:

14For his soul pleased God: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities: but the people see this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their hearts:

15That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen.

16But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust.

17For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not understand what God hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety.

18They shall see him, and shall despise him: but the Lord shall laugh them to scorn.

19And they shall fall after this without honour, and be a reproach among the dead for ever: for he shall burst them puffed up and speechless, and shall shake them from the foundations, and they shall be utterly laid waste: they shall be in sorrow, and their memory shall perish.

20They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them.

1vì được cả Thiên Chúa lẫn người đời biết đến.

2giành phần thưởng tuyệt vời.

3rễ ăn không sâu, gốc bám không chặt !

4một trận cuồng phong là bật tung gốc.

5không ích lợi chi, hoàn toàn vô dụng.

6sẽ là bằng chứng buộc tội những người sinh ra chúng.

7Người công chính dù có chết non, cũng vẫn được an nghỉ.

8không phải bởi sống lâu, cũng không do số tuổi.

9sống không tỳ ố đã là sống thọ.

10nên được Thiên Chúa dời đi nơi khác.

11hay tâm hồn họ bị tật xảo trá phỉnh lừa.

12và dục vọng quay cuồng biến đổi tâm hồn chất phác.

13thì kể như đã hoàn tất một sự nghiệp lâu dài.

14họ không nghĩ được rằng

15và viếng thăm các thánh của Người.

16đó là lời kết án người cao tuổi mà sống bất lương.

17và tại sao Người đem họ đến nơi yên ổn.

18nhưng Đức Chúa sẽ cười chê bọn chúng.

19

20Những tội ác chúng phạm sẽ cáo buộc chúng.