15
O man of blessed age and of venerable gray hair and of law-abiding life, whom the faithful seal of death has perfected!
16
If, therefore, because of piety an aged man despised tortures even to death, most certainly devout reason is governor of the emotions.
17
Some perhaps might say, "Not all have full command of their emotions, because not all have prudent reason."
18
But as many as attend to religion with a whole heart, these alone are able to control the passions of the flesh,
19
since they believe that they, like our patriarchs Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, do not die to God, but live to God.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.