3:1 义人的灵魂在天主手里，痛苦不能伤害他们。
But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. 3:2 在愚人看来，他们算是死了，认为他们去世是受了惩罚，
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction 3:3 离我们而去，彷佛是归于泯灭；其实，他们是处于安宁中；
and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. 3:4 虽然在人看来，他们是受了苦；其实，却充满着永生的希望。
For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; 3:5 他们受了些许的痛苦，却要蒙受绝大的恩惠，因为天主试验了他们，发觉他们配作自己的人：
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. 3:6 他试炼了他们，好象炉中的黄金；悦纳了他们，有如悦纳全燔祭。
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. 3:7 他们蒙眷顾时，必要闪烁发光，有如禾秸间往来飞驰的火花。
In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; 3:8 他们要审判万国，统治万民，上主要永远作他们的君王。
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. 3:9 倚恃上主的人，必明白真理；忠信于上主之爱的人，必与他同住，因为恩泽与仁慈，原归于他所选拔的人。
Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect. 3:10 但是不虔敬的人，必因他们的思念而遭受惩罚，因为他们蔑视了义人，离弃了上主。
But the wicked shall receive a punishment to match their thoughts, since they neglected justice and forsook the LORD. 3:11 轻视智慧和教训的人是有祸的：他们的希望只有落空，劳苦只有徒劳，工作只有失败；
For he who despises wisdom and instruction is doomed. Vain is their hope, fruitless are their labors, and worthless are their works. 3:12 他们的妻子愚蠢，子女邪恶，后裔可咒骂。
Their wives are foolish and their children wicked; accursed is their brood. 3:13 荒胎无罪，而又不知床笫罪恶的妇女，是有福的；到灵魂受眷顾的时候，她必富有果实。
Yes, blessed is she who, childless and undefiled, knew not transgression of the marriage bed; she shall bear fruit at the visitation of souls. 3:14 同样，不生育的男人，手若不作非法的行为，心不思念相反上主的恶事，是有福的；天主见他忠贞，必赐给他特赏，在上主的圣殿中，赐给他更称心的一份。
So also the eunuch whose hand wrought no misdeed, who held no wicked thoughts against the LORD- For he shall be given fidelity’s choice reward and a more gratifying heritage in the LORD’s temple. 3:15 因为高尚的劳苦必结荣誉的果实，智慧的根蒂绝不会中断。
For the fruit of noble struggles is a glorious one; and unfailing is the root of understanding. 3:16 淫乱的儿子长不到成年，茍合而生的子孙必将灭绝。
But the children of adulterers will remain without issue, and the progeny of an unlawful bed will disappear. 3:17 他们纵使长命，也不值一文；就是到了高年，也无人尊敬；
For should they attain long life, they will be held in no esteem, and dishonored will their old age be at last; 3:18 假若他们早死，也没有什么希望，在审判之日，也没有安慰。
While should they die abruptly, they have no hope nor comfort in the day of scrutiny; 3:19 恶人后裔的结局实在悲惨。
for dire is the end of the wicked generation.