Wisdom of Solomon 16

1Therefore they were justly punished by similar things, and were tormented by a multitude of creatures.

2Instead of this punishment, you did good to your people; for a strange craving of appetite, you prepared quail as food for them.

3so that those men, though desiring food, might, because of the appearance of the creatures that had been sent, turn away even from their necessary appetite, while these others, after becoming needy for a short time, might partake of a strange taste.

4For it was necessary that unavoidable want should come upon those who tyrannized, but to these only that it should be shown how their enemies were being tormented.

5For even when a terrible fury of wild beasts came upon them, and they were being destroyed by the bites of crooked serpents, your wrath did not remain to the end;

6But for a short time they were troubled as a warning, having a sign of salvation, for a reminder of the commandment of your law;

7For the one who turned was saved not by what was seen, but by you, the Savior of all.

8And by this also you convinced our enemies that you are the one who rescues from every evil.

9For those whom the bites of locusts and flies killed, no healing was found for their life, because they were worthy to be punished by such things;

10But the teeth of venomous serpents did not overcome your sons, for your mercy came to their aid and healed them.

11For they were being pricked as a reminder of your sayings, and were quickly rescued, so that, after falling into deep forgetfulness, they might not become cut off from your beneficence.

12For neither herb nor poultice healed them, but your word, O Lord, heals all things.

13For you have authority over life and death, and you bring down to the gates of Hades and bring up.

14But a man kills by his own wickedness, and when a spirit has gone out, he does not bring it back, nor does he release a soul that has been taken.

15But it is impossible to escape your hand.

16For because they refused to know you, the ungodly were scourged by the strength of your arm, pursued by strange rains and hail and relentless storms, and consumed by fire.

17For what was most astonishing was this: in the water that extinguishes everything, the fire had even greater power, for the world fights on behalf of the righteous.

18For at one time the flame was subdued, so that it might not burn up the creatures sent against the ungodly; but they themselves, seeing it, might know that they were being pursued by the judgment of God.

19But at times, even in the midst of water, fire burns beyond its power, so that it may destroy the unrighteous produce of the earth.

20Instead of these things, you fed your people with the food of angels, and without their labor you sent them ready bread from heaven, able to satisfy every delight and suited to every taste.

21For your substance displayed your sweetness toward your children; and, serving the desire of the one who partook of it, it changed into whatever each one wished.

22But snow and ice endured fire and did not melt, so that they might know that fire, blazing in the hail and flashing in the rainstorms, was destroying the fruits of the enemies;

23But this again, so that the righteous might be fed, forgot even its own power.

24For creation, serving you its maker, strains itself for the punishment of the unrighteous, and relaxes for the benefit of those who have put their trust in you.

25Therefore also at that time, changing itself into all things, it served your all-nourishing gift according to the desire of those in need;

26so that your children, whom you loved, might learn, O Lord, that it is not the produce of crops that nourishes a man, but your word preserves those who trust in you.

27For what was not destroyed by fire simply melted when warmed by a brief ray of the sun,

28so that it might be known that one must rise before the sun to give you thanks, and at the dawning of the light make petition to you.

29For the hope of the ungrateful will melt like wintry frost, and will run off like useless water.