₁But righteous people are protected by God and will never suffer torment. ₂It is a foolish mistake to think that righteous people die and that their death is a terrible evil. ₃They leave us, but it is not a disaster. In fact, the righteous are at peace. ₄It might appear that they have suffered punishment, but they have the confident hope of immortality. _5-6Their sufferings were light compared with the blessings they will receive. God has tested them, like gold in a furnace, and found them worthy to be with him. He has accepted them, just as he accepts the sacrifices which his worshippers burn on the altar.

₇When God comes to reward the righteous, they will blaze out against the wicked like fire in dry straw. ₈They will rule over nations and peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever. ₉Those who have put their trust in God will come to understand the truth of his ways. Those who have been faithful will live with him in his love, for he is kind and merciful to the ones whom he has chosen.

₆Here on Mount Zion the LORD Almighty will prepare a banquet for all the nations of the world — a banquet of the richest food and the finest wine. ₇Here he will suddenly remove the cloud of sorrow that has been hanging over all the nations. ₈The Sovereign LORD will destroy death for ever! He will wipe away the tears from everyone's eyes and take away the disgrace his people have suffered throughout the world. The LORD himself has spoken!

₉When it happens, everyone will say, “He is our God! We have put our trust in him, and he has rescued us. He is the LORD! We have put our trust in him, and now we are happy and joyful because he has saved us.”