Better than this is childishness with virtue;

2 When it is present, men imitate it;

3 But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall be of no profit,

4 For even if these put forth boughs and flourish for a season,

5 Their branches shall be broken off before they come to maturity,

6 For children unlawfully begotten are witnesses of wickedness

7 But a righteous man, though he die before his time, shall be at rest.

8 (For honorable old age is not that which standeth in length of time,

9 But understanding is gray hairs unto men,

10 Being found well-pleasing unto God he was beloved of him,

11 He was caught away, lest wickedness should change his understanding,

12 (For the bewitching of naughtiness obscureth the things which are good,

13 Being made perfect in a little while, he fulfilled long years;

14 For his soul was pleasing unto the Lord:

15 But as for the peoples, seeing and understanding not,

16 But a righteous man that is dead shall condemn the ungodly that are living,

17 For the ungodly shall see a wise man’s end,

18 They shall see, and they shall despise;

19 Because he shall dash them speechless to the ground,

20 They shall come, when their sins are reckoned up, with coward fear;