10 But the ungodly will be punished even as their reasoning deserves,

those who neglected righteousness and revolted from the master;

11 for he who despises wisdom and discipline is miserable.

Their hope is void and their toils unprofitable.

Their works are useless.

12 Their wives are foolish and their children are wicked.

13 Their descendants are cursed.

Because the barren woman who’s undefiled is happy,

she who hasn’t conceived in transgression.

She’ll have fruit when God examines souls.

14 So is the eunuch which has done no lawless deed with his hands,

nor imagined wicked things against the master;

for a precious gift will be given to him for his faithfulness,

and a delightful inheritance in the master’s sanctuary.

15 Because good labours have fruit of great renown.

The root of understanding can’t fail.

16 But children of adulterers won’t come to maturity.

The seed of an unlawful union will vanish away.

17 Because if they live long, they won’t be esteemed,

and in the end, their old age will be without honour.

18 If they die young, they’ll have no hope,

nor consolation in the day of judgement.

19 Because the end of an unrighteous generation is always grievous.

4 It’s better to be childless with virtue,

for immortality is in the memory of virtue,

because it’s recognised both before God and before men.

2 When it’s present, people imitate it.

They long after it when it’s departed.

Throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph,

victorious in the competition for the prizes that are undefiled.

3 But the multiplying brood of the ungodly will be of no profit,

and their illegitimate offshoots won’t take deep root,

nor will they establish a sure hold.

4 Because even if they grow branches and flourish for a season,

standing unsure, they’ll be shaken by the wind.

They’ll be uprooted by the violence of winds.

5 Their branches will be broken off before they come to maturity.

Their fruit will be useless,

never ripe to eat, and fit for nothing.

6 Because unlawfully conceived children are witnesses of wickedness

against parents when they’re investigated.