Text 36

The souls of the virtuous are in the
hands of God, no torment shall ever
touch them. In the eyes of the unwise,
they did appear to die, their going
looked like a disaster, their leaving us,
like annihilation; but they are in peace.
If they experienced punishment as men
see it, their hope was rich with
immortality; slight was their affliction,
great will their blessings be, God has
put them to the test and proved them
worthy to be with him; he has tested
them like gold in a furnace, and
accepted them as a holocaust. When
the time comes for his visitation they
will shine out; as sparks run through
the stubble, so will they. They shall
judge nations, rule over peoples, and
the Lord will be their king for ever.
They who trust in him will understand
the truth, those who are faithful will
live with him in love; for grace and
mercy await those he has chosen.