A very good man, unquestionably among the most talented I ever had the pleasure to know, passed away last weekend. He will be sorely missed. At the funeral service, I was asked to read 3:1-6,9 from the Book of Wisdom-- a common reading at funerals, about the peace of the dead. At mass this morning, I opened the Bible to read the full passage. It is a very good one, that gives hope to the ultimate triumph of the just over the wicked in this world, and why we ought not despair so long as we remain on the side of the just:

But the wicked shall receive a punishment to match their thoughts, since they neglected righteousness and forsook the Lord. For those who despise wisdom and instruction are doomed. Vain is their hope, fruitless their labors, and worthless their works. For the fruit of noble struggles is a glorious one; and unfailing is the root of understanding. For should [the wicked] attain long life, they will be held in no esteem, and dishonored will their old age be in the end; Should they die abruptly, they will have no hope nor comfort in the day of scrutiny; for dire is the end of the wicked generation.