Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| Better childlessness with virtue, for there is immortality in its memory, since it is known both with God and with mortals.
2| When present, people imitate it, and when it has gone they long for it; and through the ages it walks in procession wearing its crown, victorious in the contest for prizes that are undefiled.
3| But the prolific multitude of the ungodly will be of no use; sprung from bastard shoots, it will not sink a root to any depth, nor will it set a firm foundation.
4| For even if it flourishes for a time in branches, standing insecurely, it will be shaken by the wind, and by the violence of winds it will be uprooted.
5| Its unripe boughs will be broken off, and their fruit will be useless, unripe for eating and fit for nothing.
6| For children born of lawless unions are witnesses of wickedness against their parents, when they are put to the test.
7| But the righteous, even if he comes to the end of his life early, will be at rest.
8| For honored old age is not that of long duration, nor is it measured by number of years.
9| Understanding is gray hair for mortals, and a spotless life is the maturity of old age.
10| Having become pleasing to God, he was loved, and living among sinners he was translated.
11| He was caught up, lest evil should change his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.
12| For the bewitchment of worthlessness obscures what is good, and the whirl of desire undermines a guileless mind.
13| Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years.
14| For his soul was pleasing to the Lord; therefore he hastened out of the midst of wickedness. But the peoples saw and did not understand, nor did they lay to heart a thing like this,
15| that grace and mercy are with his chosen ones, and watchful care is with his holy ones.
16| The righteous man, though dead, will condemn the ungodly who are living, and youth brought swiftly to its end will condemn the many years of an unjust man's old age.
17| For they will see the end of the wise man, and will not understand what the Lord planned for him, and for what purpose he set him in safety.
18| They will see it and hold him in contempt, but the Lord will laugh them to scorn.
19| And after this they will become a dishonored corpse, and an object of outrage among the dead forever; for he will break them speechless and face-down, and will shake them from their foundations, and they will be utterly laid waste, and they will be in anguish, and their memory will perish.
20| They will come, cowardly, at the reckoning of their sins, and their lawless deeds will convict them to their face.