1How 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.

2When 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.

3But 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.

4Though 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].

5For why boughs [or branches] unperfect shall be broken altogether; and the fruits of them be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and covenable to nothing.

6For why all sons, that be born of wicked men, be witnesses of wicked-ness against fathers and mothers, in their asking.

7But a just man [or the rightwise], though he be before-occupied by death, shall be in refreshing.

8For why worshipful eld [age] is not of long time [or long enduring], neither it is reckoned by the number of years;

9the wits of a man be hoary, and the age of eld is life without wem [or undefouled].

10He pleased God, and was made dearworthy [or loved], and he living among sinners was translated, or borne over;

11he was ravished, lest malice should change his understanding, either lest feigning should deceive [or beguile] his soul.

12For why deceiving of trifling maketh dark good things, and the unstableness of covetousness turneth over [or over-turneth] the wit without malice.

13He was ended in short time, and [ful] filled many times;

14for why his soul was pleasant to [or pleased] God; for this thing God hasted to lead him out from the midst of wickednesses;

15but 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.

16Forsooth 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].

17For 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].

18For 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.

19For 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.

20They shall come fearedful in the thought of their sins; and their wickednesses on the contrary side shall lead them over.