Wisdom of Solomon 2:16–24

¹⁶We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness: he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed, and maketh his boast that God is his father. ¹⁷Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him. ¹⁸For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies. ¹⁹Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience. ²⁰Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected.

²¹Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness hath blinded them. ²²As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls. ²³For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. ²⁴Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.