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It is better to be childless with virtue, for immortality is in the memory of virtue, because it is recognized both before God and before men.
Verse 1. Glory. The offspring of the chaste is happy, ( Calmet.) and honourable: ( Bible.) very different from that of adulterers. Calmet.—Bodily chastity is a great virtue; but purity of faith is more requisite to please God, being the foundation of all virtues. Worthington.
When it is present, people imitate it. They long after it when it has departed. Throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph, victorious in the competition for the prizes that are undefiled.
Verse 2. Itself. Virtue extorts the esteem even of worldlings. Antiochus wept for Onias. 2 Maccabees 4:37. Calmet.—Sublatum ex oculis quærimus invidi. Hor. iii. od. 24.—Conflicts. In the cause of continence. Calmet.
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.
Verse 3. Slips. Vitulamina, a word, to which the people were so habituated, that it could not be altered. Saint Augustine de Doct. xii.—Yet some read better ( Calmet.) plantationes. S. Bonav. Lyran.—The offspring of the unchaste will not prosper. Calmet. 3:16.
For even if they grow branches and flourish for a season, standing unsure, they will be shaken by the wind. They will be uprooted by the violence of winds.
Their branches will be broken off before they come to maturity. Their fruit will be useless, never ripe to eat, and fit for nothing.
For unlawfully conceived children are witnesses of wickedness against parents when they are investigated.
Verse 6. Beds. Lit. “sleep,” somnis, υπνων. Calmet. 7:2. Bible.—Whether the children live or die, they are a reproach to their parents, as those who see them enquire about their birth.
But a righteous man, even if he dies before his time, will be at rest.
Verse 7. Death. He is always ready; but dies in his youth. Calmet.—Whenever death comes, it is for his advantage, and if he depart in his youth, his immaculate life is to be preferred before the old age of the wicked. verse 16. Worthington.
For honorable old age is not that which stands in length of time, nor is its measure given by number of years,
but understanding is gray hair to men, and an unspotted life is ripe old age.
Being found well-pleasing to God, someone was loved. While living among sinners he was transported.
He was caught away, lest evil should change his understanding, or guile deceive his soul.
Verse 11. Away. Like Henoch. Genesis 5:24. Hebrews 11:5. Calmet.—“Bad conversations corrupt the best manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33. Isaiah 57:1. But could not God have supported the just under temptation? Undoubtedly. His judgments are unsearchable. Saint Augustine de Præd. xiv. Calmet.—The holy doctor thence proves, that those who die in a just state, might have forfeited it, if they had lived longer. God knew this possibility, and that it would not take place, and his foreknowledge agrees with man’s free-will, which some, inclining to Pelagianism, would controvert. They objected to this authority: and he was therefore obliged to prove that the book of Wisdom is canonical. Ib. Worthington.
For the fascination of wickedness obscures the things which are good, and the whirl of desire perverts an innocent mind.
Verse 12. Bewitching. Thus the pleasures and goods of the world are well described. For as fascination consists in a delusion of the people, who suppose that their senses are deceived by vain appearances; so it is the mistake of worldlings to believe that the objects of their desires are real goods, and contain no danger.
Being made perfect quickly, he filled a long time;
for his soul was pleasing to the Lord. Therefore he hurried out of the midst of wickedness.
But the peoples saw and didn’t understand, not considering this, that grace and mercy are with his chosen, and that he visits his holy ones;
but a righteous man who is dead will condemn the ungodly who are living, and youth who is quickly perfected will condemn the many years of an unrighteous man’s old age.
For the ungodly will see a wise man’s end, and won’t understand what the Lord planned for him, and why he safely kept him.
They will see, and they will despise; but the Lord will laugh them to scorn. After this, they will become a dishonored carcass and a reproach among the dead forever;
because he will dash them speechless to the ground, and will shake them from the foundations. They will lie utterly waste. They will be in anguish and their memory will perish.
Verse 19. Speechless. The damned shall have no excuse, being condemned by their own conscience, ( Worthington.) which shall be instead of a thousand witnesses. Menochius.—In three words, three different punishments are specified.
They will come with coward fear when their sins are counted. Their lawless deeds will convict them to their face.
Verse 20. Against. Conscience will condemn or acquit those who have no other law. Romans 2:15. Calmet.