Wisdom 16

or these things, and by the like things to these, they were worthily punished, and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts. 2 Instead of which punishment, dealing well with your people, you gave them their desire of delicious food, of a new taste, preparing for them quails for their meat: 3 To the end, that they indeed desiring food, by means of those things that were shown and sent among them, might loath even that which was necessary to satisfy their desire. But these, after suffering want for a short time, tasted a new meat. 4 For it was requisite that inevitable destruction should come upon them that exercised tyranny: but to these it should only be shown how their enemies were destroyed. 5 For when the fierce rage of beasts came upon these, they were destroyed by the bitings of crooked serpents. 6 But your wrath endured not for ever, but they were troubled for a short time for their correction, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of your law. 7 For he that turned to it, was not healed by that which he saw, but by you, the Saviour of all. 8 And in this you showed to our enemies, that you are he who delivers from all evil. 9 For the bitings of locusts, and of flies, killed them, and there was found no remedy for their life: because they were worthy to be destroyed by such things. 10 But not even the teeth of venomous serpents overcame your children: for your mercy came and healed them. 11 For they were examined for the remembrance of your words, and were quickly healed, lest falling into deep forgetfulness, they might not be able to use your help. 12 For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaster, that healed them, but your word, O Lord, which heals all things. 13 For it is you, O Lord, that have power of life and death, and lead down to the gates of death, and bring back again: 14 A man indeed kills through malice, and when the spirit has gone forth, it shall not return, neither shall he call back the soul that is received: 15 But it is impossible to escape your hand: 16 For the wicked that denied to know you, were scourged by the strength of your arm, being persecuted by strange waters, and hail, and rain, and consumed by fire. 17 And which was wonderful, in water, which extinguishes all things, the fire had more force: for the world fights for the just. 18 For at one time the fire was mitigated, that the beasts which were sent against the wicked might not be burnt, but that they might see, and perceive that they were persecuted by the judgment of God. 19 And at another time the fire, above its own power, burnt in the midst of water, to destroy the fruits of a wicked land. 20 Instead of which things, you fed your people with the food of angels, and gave them bread from heaven, prepared without labour; having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste. 21 For your sustenance showed your sweetness to your children, and serving every man's will, it was turned to what every man liked. 22 But snow and ice endured the force of fire, and melted not: that they might know that the fire, burning in the hail, and flashing in the rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies. 23 But this same again, that the just might be nourished, did even forget its own strength. 24 For the creature serving you, the Creator, is made fierce against the unjust for their punishment: and abates its strength for the benefit of them that trust in you. 25 Therefore even then it was transformed into all things, and was obedient to your grace, that nourishes all, according to the will of them that desired it of you: 26 That your children, O Lord, whom you loved, might know that it is not the growing of fruits that nourishes men, but your word preserves them that believe in you. 27 For that which could not be destroyed by fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, presently melted away: 28 That it might be known to all, that we ought to prevent the sun to bless you, and adore you at the dawning of the light. 29 For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's ice, and shall run off as unprofitable water.