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But the souls of the just are in the
hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
2They
seemed, in the eyes of the foolish, to be dead,
and their passing away was thought to be affliction,
3and
their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
4For
if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is
their hope is full of immortality.
5Chastised
a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tested them and found them to be worthy of himself;
6like
gold in the furnace he proved them,
and like a sacrificial burnt-offering he accepted them.
7In
the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
8They
will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them for ever.
9Those
who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.
This is the Word of the Lord.
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