Wisdom 4 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition (NRSVACE)

4 Better than this is childlessness with virtue,
for in the memory of virtue[a] is immortality,
because it is known both by God and by mortals.
2 When it is present, people imitate[b] it,
and they long for it when it has gone;
throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph,
victor in the contest for prizes that are undefiled.
3 But the prolific brood of the ungodly will be of no use,
and none of their illegitimate seedlings will strike a deep root
or take a firm hold.
4 For even if they put forth boughs for a while,
standing insecurely they will be shaken by the wind,
and by the violence of the winds they will be uprooted.
5 The branches will be broken off before they come to maturity,
and their fruit will be useless,
not ripe enough to eat, and good for nothing.
6 For children born of unlawful unions
are witnesses of evil against their parents when God examines them.[c]
7 But the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest.
8 For old age is not honoured for length of time,
or measured by number of years;
9 but understanding is grey hair for anyone,
and a blameless life is ripe old age.

10 There were some who pleased God and were loved by him,
and while living among sinners were taken up.
11 They were caught up so that evil might not change their understanding
or guile deceive their souls.
12 For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good,
and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.
13 Being perfected in a short time, they fulfilled long years;
14 for their souls were pleasing to the Lord,
therefore he took them quickly from the midst of wickedness.
15 Yet the peoples saw and did not understand,
or take such a thing to heart,
that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect,
and that he watches over his holy ones.

The Triumph of the Righteous

16 The righteous who have died will condemn the ungodly who are living,
and youth that is quickly perfected[d] will condemn the prolonged old age of the unrighteous.
17 For they will see the end of the wise,
and will not understand what the Lord purposed for them,
and for what he kept them safe.
18 The unrighteous[e] will see, and will have contempt for them,
but the Lord will laugh them to scorn.
After this they will become dishonoured corpses,
and an outrage among the dead for ever;
19 because he will dash them speechless to the ground,
and shake them from the foundations;
they will be left utterly dry and barren,
and they will suffer anguish,
and the memory of them will perish.

The Final Judgement

20 They will come with dread when their sins are reckoned up,
and their lawless deeds will convict them to their face.

Footnotes

  1. Wisdom 4:1 Gk it
  2. Wisdom 4:2 Other ancient authorities read honour
  3. Wisdom 4:6 Gk at their examination
  4. Wisdom 4:16 Or ended
  5. Wisdom 4:18 Gk They

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Wisdom 4 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

4 How fair is a chaste generation with clearness [or clarity]; for the mind thereof is undeadly, for it is known, both with God, and with men. 2 When it is present, they (pur)sue it; and they desire it, when it hath led out itself, and it over-coming getteth by victory the meed of battles undefouled...
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Wisdom 4 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

4 Better than this is childlessness with virtue,for in the memory of virtue[a] is immortality,because it is known both by God and by men.2 When it is present, men imitate[b] it,and they long for it when it has gone;and throughout all time it marches crowned in triumph,victor in the contest for prize...
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Wisdom 4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

4 Better than this is childlessness with virtue,for in the memory of virtue[a] is immortality,because it is known both by God and by men.2 When it is present, men imitate[b] it,and they long for it when it has gone;and throughout all time it marches crowned in triumph,victor in the contest for prize...
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Wisdom 4 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

4 Better than this is childlessness with virtue,for in the memory of virtue[a] is immortality,because it is known both by God and by mortals.2 When it is present, people imitate[b] it,and they long for it when it has gone;throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph,victor in the contest for p...
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Wisdom 4 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

4 Better than this is childlessness with virtue,for in the memory of virtue[a] is immortality,because it is known both by God and by mortals.2 When it is present, people imitate[b] it,and they long for it when it has gone;throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph,victor in the contest for p...
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Wisdom 4 - New Catholic Bible (NCB)

Chapter 41 Far better than this is childlessness accompanied by virtue,[a] for immortality is gained by a remembrance of virtue, since it is acknowledged both by God and by men.2 When it is present, men imitate it, and they long for it in its absence.And throughout eternity it marches crowned in tri...
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Wisdom 4 - New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Chapter 41 Better is childlessness with virtue; for immortal is the memory of virtue, acknowledged both by God and human beings.(A)2 When it is present people imitate it, and they long for it when it is gone;Forever it marches crowned in triumph, victorious in unsullied deeds of valor.3 But the nume...
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Wisdom 4 - Good News Translation (GNT)

4 (A)It is better to have virtue, even if it means having no children. Your virtue will be recognized by other people and by God, and you will be remembered for it forever. 2 Virtue provides an example for people to follow; when it is not there, they miss it. It has always been the finest prize a pe...
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Wisdom 4 - Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

4 O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men. 2 When 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 conf...
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Wisdom 4 - Common English Bible (CEB)

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