1 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.10 He pleased God, and was made dearworthy [or loved], and he living among sinners was translated, or borne over;11 he was ravished, lest malice should change his understanding, either lest feigning should deceive [or beguile] his soul.12 For why deceiving of trifling maketh dark good things, and the unstableness of covetousness turneth over [or over-turneth] the wit without malice.13 He was ended in short time, and [ful] filled many times;14 for why his soul was pleasant to [or pleased] God; for this thing God hasted to lead him out from the midst of wickednesses;15 but peoples saw and understood not, neither setted [or putted] such things in their hearts or entrails. For the grace and mercy of God is on his saints, and beholding [or respect] of God is on his chosen men.16 Forsooth a just [or rightwise] man dead condemneth quick [or alive] wicked men; and youth ended swiftlier condemneth the long life of an unjust man [or the unrightwise].17 For they shall see the end of a wise man, and they shall not understand, what thing God thought of him, and why the Lord made him less [or diminished him].18 For they shall see, and shall despise him; but the Lord shall scorn them. And after these things they shall be falling down without honour, and in despising among dead men without end.19 For he shall all-break them swollen without voice, and he shall move them from the foundaments; and they shall be desolate till to the last thing. And they shall be wailing, and the mind of them shall perish.2 When it is present, they pursue [or follow] it; and they desire it, when it hath led out itself, and it over-coming getteth by victory the meed of battles undefouled, and is crowned without end.20 They shall come fearedful in the thought of their sins; and their wickednesses on the contrary side shall lead them over.3 But the manyfold engendered multitude of wicked [or unpious] men shall not be profitable; and plantings of adultery they shall not give deep roots, neither shall set stable steadfastness.4 Though they burgeon in boughs [or branches] for a time, they set unsteadfastly shall be moved of the wind, and they shall be drawn out by the root of the greatness of winds [or and of the muchliness of winds pulled up by the roots].5 For why boughs [or branches] unperfect shall be broken altogether; and the fruits of them be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and covenable to nothing.6 For why all sons, that be born of wicked men, be witnesses of wicked-ness against fathers and mothers, in their asking.7 But a just man [or the rightwise], though he be before-occupied by death, shall be in refreshing.8 For why worshipful eld [age] is not of long time [or long enduring], neither it is reckoned by the number of years;9 the wits of a man be hoary, and the age of eld is life without wem [or undefouled].