Thomas A Kempis 1.24 (Part 2) - The Last Day sheds light on this world

Then it will be seen that the wise man in this world was the one who learned to be a fool and despised for Christ. Then every tribulation endured with patience will be a triumph, while every sin will stop the sinner's mouth. Then will all the faithful rejoice, and the religious recognize their merit. Then the physically afflicted will rejoice more than if their flesh had been constantly nourished by delights. Then the humbly clothed will shine in beauty, and fine clothes will lose their shine. Then the poor's small home will be praised more than the gilded palace. Then patience that endures will have more might than all the power of the the world. Then simple obedience will be more highly exalted than all worldly cunning.

Then a pure, simple conscience will be gladder than learned philosophy. Then contempt of riches will weigh more than all the treasure of the children of this world. Then you will take more comfort in devoted prayer than in fine food. Then you will rejoice more in silence than storytelling. Then holy actions will be far stronger than a stream of pretty words. Then a lawful life and heartfelt repentance will be worth more than all the pleasure in the world. Learn now to suffer a little, so that then you are freed from heavier ones. Test it here, try it now, what you are able to endure. If now you are able to bear so little, how will thou be able to endure eternal torments? If so little suffering makes you so very impatient, what will happen in a literal hell? See certainly that you will not be able to have both joys, to live for delight here in this world, and to reign with Christ in the hereafter. 

If up to this day you had always lived in honor and pleasure, what gain would all that be if you died unexpectedly? All things then are pointless, except to love God and to serve Him solely*. For the one who loves God with his whole heart fears neither death, nor punishment, nor judgment, nor hell, because perfect love gives sure access to God. But whoever still delights in sin, no wonder if he fears death and judgment. It is good that if love does not call you back from evil, at least the fear of judgment should cause you to check yourself. Whoever puts off even the fear of God cannot continue long in good, but quickly runs toward the traps set by the devil.

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, 1.24 (second part).

Translation focused on contemporary English and preservation of rhetorical force and art

* Here the online Latin text that I'm using has "et illi foli servire", which makes no sense and I am taking as a transcription problem. I'm reading it as "et illi soli servire". Both the meaning and the typical writing style suggest to prefer "soli servire" instead of "foli servire", and s / f is a common transcription issue in some older texts, depending on the languages and penmanship.