16
For this cause were these men worthily punished through creatures like those which they worship,
And tormented through a multitude of vermin.
Instead of which punishment, you, bestowing benefits on your people,
Preparedst quails for food,
Food of rare taste, to satisfy the desire of their appetite;
To the end that your enemies, desiring food,
Might for the hideousness of the creatures sent among them
Loathe even the necessary appetite;
But these, your people, having for a short space suffered lack,
Might even partake of food of rare taste.
For it was needful that upon those should come inexorable lack in their tyrannous dealing,
But that to these it should only be showed how their enemies were tormented.
For even when terrible raging of wild beasts came upon your people,
And they were perishing by the bites of crooked serpents,
Your wrath continued not to the uttermost;
But for admonition were they troubled for a short space,
Having a token of salvation,
To put them in remembrance of the commandment of your law:
For he that turned toward it was not saved because of that which was seen,
But because of you, the Saviour of all.
Yes, and in this did you persuade our enemies,
That you are he that delivers out of every evil.
For them verily the bites of locusts and flies did kill,
And there was not found a healing for their life,
Because they were worthy to be punished by such as these;
10 But your sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame,
For your mercy passed by where they were, and healed them.
11 For they were bitten, to put them in remembrance of your oracles;
And were quickly saved, lest, falling into deep forgetfulness,
They should become Somebereft unable to be drawnThe roused by your beneficence:
12 For of a truth it was neither herb nor mollifying plaister that cured them,
But your word, O Lord, which heals all things;
13 For you have authority over life and death,
And you lead down to the gates of Hades, and lead up again.
14 But though a man may kill by his wickedness,
Yet the spirit that is gone forth he turns not again,
Neither gives release to the soul that Hades has received.
 
15 But your hand it is not possible to escape;
16 For ungodly men, denying refusing to know you, were scourged in the strength of your arm,
Pursued with strange rains and hails and showers inexorable,
And utterly consumed with fire;
17 For, what was most marvelous of all,
In the water which quenches all things the fire wrought yet more mightily;
For the world fights for the righteous.
18 For at one time the flame lost its fierceness,
That it might not burn up the creatures sent against the ungodly,
But that these themselves as they looked might Some see that they were chased through the judgement of God:
19 And at another time even in the midst of water it burns above the power of fire,
That it may destroy the fruits of an unrighteous land.
20 Instead whereof you gave your people angels’ food to eat,
And bread ready for their use did you provide for them from heaven without their toil,
Bread having the virtue of every pleasant savor,
And agreeing to every taste;
21 For Somethe your nature manifested your sweetness toward your children;
While that bread, ministering to the desire of the eater,
Tempered itself according to every man’s choice.
22 But snow and ice endured fire, and melted not,
That men might know that fire was destroying the fruits of the enemies,
Burning in the hail and flashing in the rains;
23 And Some that this element again, in order that righteous men may be nourished,
Hath even forgotten its own power.
24 For the creation, ministering to you its maker,
Straineth its force against the unrighteous, for punishment,
And slackeneth it in behalf of them that trust in you, for beneficence.
25 Therefore at that time also, converting itself into all forms,
It ministered to your all-nourishing bounty,
According to the desire of them that had made supplication;
26 That your sons, whom you loved, O Lord, might learn
That it is not the growth of the earth’s fruits that nourishes a man,
But that your word preserves them that trust you.
27 For that which was not marred by fire,
When it was simply warmed by a faint sunbeam melted away;
28 That it might be known that we must rise before the sun to give you thanks,
And must plead with you at the dawning of the light:
29 For the hope of the unthankful shall melt as the winter’s hoar frost,
And shall flow away as water that has no use.
 
1:1+1:1Gr.in1:1goodness.1:3+1:3Gr.1:3convicts.1:5+1:5Gr.1:5convicted.1:6+Some1:6authorities readthe1:6spirit of wisdom is loving to man.1:6+1:6Or,1:6reviler1:7+1:7Gr.the1:7inhabited earth.1:8+Some1:8authorities readNor1:8indeed.1:14+Or,1:14allthe1:14racesof1:14creaturesin1:14the world1:14+1:14Or,a1:14royal house1:16+1:16Or,1:16Hades1:16Gr.1:16him.1:16+1:16Or,were1:16consumedwith1:16love of him2:1+2:1Or,2:1among2:1+2:1Or,returned2:1out of Hades2:2+2:2Or,reason2:2is a spark2:2kindledby2:2the beating of our heart2:4+2:4Gr.weighed2:4down.2:5+2:5Or,there2:5is no putting back of our end2:5+2:5Or,comes2:5again2:6+2:6Or,that2:6are2:6+2:6Gr.2:6earnestly.2:6+Some2:6authorities readeven2:6as our youth.2:7+Some2:7authorities read2:7air.2:11+2:11Gr.2:11convicted.2:12+2:12Or,2:12law2:13+2:13Or,2:13child2:20+2:20Gr.there2:20shall be a visitation of him out of his words.2:21+2:21Or,2:21malice2:23+Some2:23authorities read2:23everlastingness.3:9+3:9Or,they3:9that are faithful through love shall abide with him3:10+3:10Or,that3:10which is righteous3:14+3:14Or,the3:14grace of3:14God’s3:14chosen3:14Gr.a3:14chosen grace.3:18+Some3:18authorities read3:18have3:19+3:19Gr.the3:19ends...are grievous.4:1+4:1Gr.of4:1it.4:2+4:2Gr.in4:2the age.4:3+4:3Gr.4:3from4:3+4:3Or,4:3offshoots4:4+4:4Gr.in4:4boughs flourish.4:11+4:11Or,4:11malice4:13+4:13Gr.4:13times.4:14+4:14Or,he4:14hastened4:14him4:14away4:15+4:15Gr.such4:15a thing as this.4:15+4:15Gr.his4:15visitation is with.4:18+4:18Or,be4:18for outrage4:19+4:19Or,be4:19a perpetual desolation4:20+4:20Or,when4:20they reckon up their sins5:2+5:2Or,5:2him5:3+5:3Or,5:3among5:3+5:3Or,reproach,5:3we fools: we accounted5:7+See5:7Proverbs 14:14.5:8+5:8Gr.5:8with5:11+5:11Or,with5:11the violent rush, is passed through by the motion of her wings5:13+5:13Gr.5:13failed.5:14+5:14Gr.as5:14foam chased to thinness:5:14or,as5:14thin foam chased.5:14+Most5:14Greek authorities readhoar5:14frost:some5:14authorities, perhaps rightly,a5:14spider’s web.5:17+5:17Or,to5:17repel his enemies6:2+6:2Or,in6:2the multitudes of your nations6:4+6:4Or,the6:4law6:6+6:6Gr.put6:6to the test.6:8+6:8Gr.6:8strong.6:9+6:9Gr.fall6:9not aside.6:10+6:10Or,accounted6:10holy6:11+6:11Gr.6:11disciplined.6:17+6:17Or,her6:17beginning is the true desire6:17+6:17Gr.6:17truest.6:19+6:19Gr.makes6:19to be near.6:22+6:22Or,from6:22her first beginning6:23+6:23Gr.6:23wasted.6:23+6:23Gr.6:23this7:1+Many7:1authorities reada7:1mortal man.7:3+7:3Gr.of7:3like qualities.7:4+7:4Gr.7:4in.7:12+Some7:12authorities readfirst7:12origin.7:14+7:14Gr.prepare7:14for themselves.7:14+7:14Gr.for7:14the sake of the presents that come of discipline.7:15+7:15Or,according7:15to7:15his7:15mind7:15Or,according7:15to7:15my7:15mind7:15+Some7:15authorities readis7:15said.7:19+7:19Or,7:19constellations7:20+7:20Or,7:20spirits7:22+7:22Gr.7:22Sole-born.7:25+7:25Gr.7:25vapor.7:29+7:29Gr.every7:29arrangement of stars.7:30+7:30Gr.to7:30this.8:1+8:1Or,reaches8:1from end onward to end mightily8:1+8:1Or,to8:1good use8:4+Some8:4authorities read8:4devisethfor8:4him.8:6+The8:6Greek text of this clause is perhaps corrupt.8:6+8:6Gr.8:6she.8:7+8:7Gr.Her8:7labors are.8:8+Some8:8authorities readhow8:8to divine the things of old and the things to come.8:8+8:8Gr.8:8conjectures.8:9+8:9Or,hold8:9counsel with me for good things, and...against cares and grief8:9+8:9Or,8:9exhort8:9Or,8:9advise8:11+8:11Or,mighty8:11men8:15+8:15Gr.8:15multitude.8:18+8:18Gr.practice8:18of communion.8:19+8:19Or,a8:19goodly child8:21+This8:21is the probable sense: the Greek text is perhaps defective.8:21+8:21Gr.of8:21whom is the grace.9:1+9:1Gr.Lord9:1of your mercy.Compare9:12 Samuel 7:15; Psalm 89:49.9:1+9:1Gr.9:1in.9:4+9:4Gr.9:4thrones.9:4+9:4Or,9:4children9:8+9:8Or,a9:8place of sacrifice9:8+9:8Gr.9:8tabernacling.9:9+9:9Gr.9:9in.9:12+9:12Gr.9:12thrones.9:14+The9:14Greek text here is perhaps corrupt.9:15+9:15Or,muses9:15upon many things9:16+9:16Gr.9:16conjecture.9:17+9:17Or,had9:17given...and sent9:17+9:17Gr.from9:17the highest.10:1+10:1Gr.10:1She.10:5+10:5Gr.10:5She10:6+10:6Gr.10:6she10:6+That10:6is,the10:6region of the five cities.10:7+10:7Or,10:7distrustful10:8+10:8Or,by10:8their life10:8+10:8Gr.10:8wherein.10:8+10:8Gr.10:8stumbled.10:10+10:10Gr.10:10she.10:12+10:12Gr.every10:12one.10:13+10:13Gr.10:13she.10:13+10:13Or,from10:13the sinof10:13his brethren...into10:13a pit10:15+10:15Gr.10:15she.11:3+11:3Or,took11:3vengeance on foes11:4+11:4Or,the11:4steep rock11:4+See11:4Deuteronomy 8:15; Psalm 114:8.11:6+The11:6text of this verse is perhaps corrupt.11:8+11:8Gr.the11:8then thirst.11:13+Some11:13authorities readwere11:13being.11:14+Some11:14authorities readcast11:14forth in hatred they.11:14+11:14Or,they11:14marveledat11:14him11:18+Some11:18authorities readunknown11:18wild beasts, full of new-created rage.11:19+11:19Gr.11:19harmfulness.11:22+11:22Gr.that11:22which just turns.11:22+11:22Gr.11:22from.11:26+11:26Or,11:26souls12:2+12:2Gr.fall12:2aside.12:5+The12:5words rendered12:5slaughters12:5and12:5impiousin12:5verses 5 and 6 differ but slightly from the readings of the Greek text, which here yield no sense.12:7+12:7Or,12:7children12:8+12:8Or,12:8wasps12:17+The12:17Greek text here is perhaps corrupt.12:17+12:17Or,in12:17them12:20+12:20Or,12:20children12:24+12:24Or,even12:24beyond12:24+12:24Gr.living12:24creatures:and12:24so elsewhere in this book.12:26+12:26Or,by12:26a correction, which was as children’s play12:26Gr.by12:26child-play of correction.12:27+12:27Or,denied12:27that they knew13:1+Or,13:1are13:2+13:2Gr.circle13:2of stars.13:2+13:2Or,luminaries13:2of heaven, rulers of the world, they thought to be gods13:4+13:4Gr.13:4efficacy.13:5+Some13:5authorities readgreatness13:5and beauty of.13:5+Some13:5authorities omit13:5even.13:5+13:5Or,13:5Correspondently13:5+13:5Gr.is13:5the first maker of them seen.13:6+13:6Or,13:6things13:7+13:7Or,being13:7occupied with13:7+13:7Or,trust13:7their sight that the things13:9+13:9Or,13:9life13:9Or,the13:9world13:9Gr.the13:9age.13:10+Or,13:10are13:10+13:10Or,13:10among13:10+Or,13:10are13:11+13:11Gr.carpenter13:11who is a woodcutter.13:11+13:11Gr.13:11plant.The13:11Greek word, slightly changed, would mean13:11trunk13:13+13:13Or,13:13leisure13:13+Or,13:13And13:14+13:14Gr.13:14rouge.13:19+13:19Or,13:19handywork14:5+14:5Gr.14:5by.14:6+The14:6Greek text here is perhaps corrupt.14:6+14:6Or,future14:6time14:6Gr.14:6age.14:7+14:7Or,14:7is14:11+14:11Or,14:11upon14:11Gr.14:11in.14:21+14:21Gr.an14:21ambush.14:22+14:22Or,14:22for14:22+14:22Gr.a14:22great war of ignorance.14:24+14:24Or,keep14:24unstained either life or marriage14:26+14:26Or,troubling14:26of the good, forgetfulness of favours14:26+14:26Or,14:26kind14:27+14:27Or,idols14:27that may not be namedSee14:27Exodus 23:13; Psalm 16:4; Hosea 2:17.14:27+See14:27Wisdom of Solomon 14:2114:31+14:31Gr.the14:31Justice of them that sin.15:3+15:3Gr.15:3entire.15:5+Some15:5authorities read15:5reproach.15:7+15:7Gr.worker15:7in clay.15:8+15:8Or,15:8life15:9+15:9Gr.15:9silver-founders.15:9+15:9Or,15:9copper15:11+15:11Gr.a15:11soul that moveth to activity.15:11+15:11Or,15:11life15:12+Some15:12authorities readthey15:12accounted.15:12+15:12Or,15:12sport15:12+15:12Or,way15:12of life15:12+15:12Or,keeping15:12of festival15:14+15:14Or,15:14are15:14+15:14Gr.more15:14wretched than the soul of a babe.15:17+Most15:17authorities readOf15:17which, he indeed.15:18+The15:18Greek text here is perhaps corrupt.16:2+16:2Gr.16:2strange.16:3+16:3Gr.16:3those.16:3+16:3Gr.16:3strange.16:5+16:5Gr.16:5them.16:11+16:11Gr.16:11pricked16:11+Some16:11authorities readbereft16:11of help from your beneficence.16:11+16:11Gr.16:11distracted,16:11or,drawn16:11away.The16:11meaning is somewhat obscure.16:14+16:14Or,16:14malice16:16+16:16Or,denying16:16that they knew you16:18+Some16:18authorities read16:18know.16:19+16:19Gr.16:19products16:21+Some16:21authorities readthe16:21substance16:21thereof.16:21+16:21Or,16:21creation16:21Gr.16:21substance.16:23+Some16:23authorities omit16:23that.16:25+16:25Or,had16:25need16:26+16:26Gr.16:26generations.