Wisdom of Solomon 2:16–24

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.

Let us see if his words be true,

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

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.

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

That we may learn his gentleness,

And may prove his patience under wrong.

Let us condemn him to a shameful death;

For according to his words he will be visited.

Thus reasoned they, being far astray,

For their wickedness blinded them,

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.

Because God created man for incorruption,

And made him an image of his own proper being;

But by the envy of the devil death entered into the world,

And they that belong to his realm experience it.