1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. 2 In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, 3 and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. 4 For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.

5 And grieve not if your soul has descended into Sheol in grief, and that in your life your body did not fare according to your goodness, but wait for the day of the judgment of sinners and for the day of cursing and chastisement. 6 And when you die, the sinners will say about you: 'Just as we have died, so also the righteous have died; and what gain did they have from their works?' 7 Behold, just as we do, so do they die in grief and darkness, and what advantage do they have over us? From henceforth we are equal.