Wisdom 4:7–14

A Catholic funeral reading (first reading), with the full text in the Douay-Rheims.

Reads in about 1 minute8 versesCatholic: Old Testament

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Douay-Rheims

Wisdom is in Catholic Bibles but not in the King James Version, so the Douay-Rheims text is given.

1. 7But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest.
2. 8For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs.
3. 9And a spotless life is old age.
4. 10He pleased God, and was beloved, and living among sinners, he was translated.
5. 11He was taken away, lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.
6. 12For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.
7. 13Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time.
8. 14For his soul pleased God: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities: but the people see this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their hearts:

Most Catholic parishes in the US read the New American Bible. Read Wisdom 4 in the NABRE at usccb.org.

Where this reading is used

• Catholic: Old Testament (Lectionary for Mass, no. 1011)

Scripture: King James Version (1769 text) and Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (Project Gutenberg #1581); both public domain. Citation as listed in the Lectionary for Mass.