“But the children of adulterers

Will not come to maturity.

The offspring of an unlawful union

Will perish.

Even if they live long,

They will be held of no account.

Finally their old age

Will be without honor.

If they die young,

They will have no hope.

They will have no consolation

On the judgment day.

The end of an unrighteous generation

Is grievous.”

The children of adulterers (τέκνα δὲ μοιχῶν) will not have a good ending. They may not even come to maturity, since they may die at a young age. Even if they live long, it will not be a very rewarding life. If they get to old age, there will be no honor. If they die young, there will be no hope or consolation on the judgment day (ἡμέρᾳ διαγνώσεως). This unrighteous or unjust generation (γενεᾶς γὰρ ἀδίκου) will not end well. This was a very strong rebuke of the so-called bastard children of adulterers.