Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 1. Therefore they were worthily punished through creatures like these, And were tormented through a multitude of wild animals. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 2. Instead of such punishment You showed kindness to Your people And prepared quails as food with a delicious taste to satisfy their hunger, Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 3. That those men, when they desired food, Might turn away their necessary hunger Because of the ugly look of the creatures sent upon them, While Your people, being in need for a brief period, Might partake of food with a delicious taste. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 4. For it was necessary for those enemies That unavoidable need come upon them and tyrannize them, While to Your people it was only shown How their enemies were being tormented. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 5. For even when the terrible rage of wild animals Came upon Your people, And they were being destroyed by the bites of twisting serpents, Your wrath did not continue to the end. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 6. They were troubled for a short while as a warning, And received a pledge of salvation In remembrance of Your law's command. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 7. For the one who turned to it was saved, not by what he saw, But by You, the Savior of all. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 8. So in this You persuaded our enemies That You are the One who saves from every evil. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 9. For the bites of locusts and flies killed them, And no healing was found for their life, Because they deserved to be punished by such things. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 10. But the teeth of poisonous serpents Did not overcome Your children, For Your mercy came to their aid and healed them. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 11. For they were goaded to remind them of Your oracles And were quickly saved, Lest they should fall into deep forgetfulness And be continually unmindful of Your kindness. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 12. For neither herb nor medicinal plaster healed them, But it was Your word, O Lord, which heals all men. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 13. For You have authority over life and death, And bring men down to the gates of Hades And lead them back again. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 14. A man in his malice kills another, But he cannot bring back a departed spirit Nor return a soul that is taken.
God Judges Egypt
Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 15. To escape from Your hand is impossible, Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 16. For the ungodly who refuse to know You Were flogged by the strength of Your arm. They were pursued by rains, hail, and thunderstorms And consumed by fire. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 17. For the fire, very contrary to expectation, Was more effective in the water, which extinguishes everything; For the world is a defender of the righteous. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 18. For at one time the flame was subdued That it might not burn up the creatures sent against the ungodly, But seeing this they might know That they were struck by the judgment of God; Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 19. And at another time even under water The flame burned more intensely than fire To destroy the harvest of the unrighteous land.
Bread from Heaven for Israel
Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 20. Instead of these things You fed Your people the food of angels, And without their labor You provided them With ready-made bread from heaven, Fitting for every pleasure and suitable to every taste. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 21. For Your provision manifested sweetness toward Your people, And the bread served the need of those who took it And changed to what one wished. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 22. Snow and ice endured fire without melting So they might know that fire destroyed the harvest of their enemies, The fire that burned in the hail And flashed like lightning in the rain— Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 23. Again that fire which forgot its own natural power That the righteous might be fed. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 24. For the creation serves You who made it And increases its intensity to punish the unrighteous, But in kindness relaxes itself on behalf of those who trust in You. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 25. Therefore also at that time, It explored as though in a mine Your all-nourishing bounty And served the will of those who supplicated You, Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 26. That Your children whom You loved, O Lord, might learn That it is not the production of crops that feeds man, But Your word that maintains those who believe in You. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 27. For what was not destroyed by fire Was melted when simply warmed by a small ray of the sun, Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 28. To make it known that one must get up before sunrise To give You thanks, And to intercede before You at the dawning of the light. Wisdom of Solomon 16, verse 29. For the hope of an unthankful man will melt like the wintry frost And flow away like useless water.