12 But let us lie in wait for the righteous man,

Because he is of disservice to us,

And is contrary to our works,

And upbraideth us with sins against the law,

And layeth to our charge sins against our discipline.

13 He professeth to have knowledge of God,

And nameth himself servant of the Lord.

14 He became to us a reproof of our thoughts.

15 He is grievous unto us even to behold,

Because his life is unlike other men’s,

And his paths are of strange fashion.

16 We were accounted of him as base metal,

And he abstaineth from our ways as from uncleannesses.

The latter end of the righteous he calleth happy;

And he vaunteth that God is his father.

17 Let us see if his words be true,

And let us try what shall befall in the ending of his life.

18 For if the righteous man is God’s son, he will uphold him,

And he will deliver him out of the hand of his adversaries.

19 With outrage and torture let us put him to the test,

That we may learn his gentleness,

And may prove his patience under wrong.

20 Let us condemn him to a shameful death;

For according to his words he will be visited.

But they are wrong: a future life is in store for the righteous, who shall then triumph over the ungodly.

21 Thus reasoned they, being far astray,

For their wickedness blinded them,

22 And they knew not the mysteries of God,

Neither hoped they for wages of holiness,

Nor did they judge that there is a prize for blameless souls.