The Future of Those Who Please God

1The souls of those

who have pleased God

are safe in his hands

and protected from pain.

2 Only in the minds of the foolish

are those people dead

and their death considered

a disaster 3or a destruction.

In fact, they are at peace

4and destined never to die,

though others may have thought

they were being punished.

5 They will be richly rewarded,

because God tested them

for a while

and found them worthy

of being his children.

6God tested them like gold

in a fiery furnace,

and he accepted them

like a pleasing sacrifice.

7When God shows them mercy,

they will be like shining sparks

setting weeds on fire.

8The Lord will rule them forever

and let them rule over nations.

9All of God's faithful people

will understand truth

and live with him in love,

because God is kind and merciful

to those he chooses

to be his holy people.

Punishment for the Wicked

10The wicked will be punished,

as their evil thoughts deserve.

They rebelled against the Lord

and abused his people.

11They are terribly miserable,

because they reject wisdom

and sound advice.

Their future is hopeless,

and everything they do

is completely useless.

12Their wives are foolish;

their children are evil

13and under God's curse.

God Blesses the Needy

A wife who remains faithful

will be given children

at a time that God decides.

14Men who remain faithful to God

and do good deeds

will receive special blessings

and be given honored positions

in the temple of the Lord,

even though they may be unable

to have children.

15Remember that good deeds

are easily recognized--

they are like fruit on a vine

that has wisdom as its roots.

16But children born to persons

who have committed

some terrible sexual sin

will die before they grow up.

17Even if they live a long time,

they won't be respected.

18And if they die in their youth,

they will be without hope

on the day of judgment,

19because misery is the reward

for doing evil.