6Instead of the fountain of an ever-flowing river,
stirred up and defiled with blood
7in rebuke for the decree to slay the infants,
you gave them abundant water unexpectedly,
8showing by their thirst at that time how you punished their enemies.
9For when they were tried,
though they were weing disciplined in mercy,
they learned how the ungodly were tormented when judged in wrath.
10For you tested them as a father does in warning,
but you examined the ungodly as a stern king does in condemnation.
11Whether absent or present, they were equally distressed,
12for a twofold grief possessed them,
and a groaning at the memory of what had occurred.
13For when they heard that through their own punishments
the righteous had received benefit, they perceived it was the Lord's doing.
14For though they had mockingly rejected him who long before had been cast out and exposed,
at the end of the events they marveled at him,
for their thirst was not like that of the righteous.
15In return for their foolish and wicked thoughts,
which led them astray to worship irrational serpents and worthless animals,
you sent upon them a multitude of irrational creatures to punish them,
16that they might learn that one is punished by the very things by which he sins.
17For your all-powerful hand,
which created the world out of formless matter,
did not lack the means to send upon them a multitude of bears, or bold lions,
18or newly created unknown beasts full of rage,
or such as breathe out fiery breath,
or belch forth a thick pall of smoke,
or flash terrible sparks from their eyes;
19not only could their damage exterminate men,
but the mere sight of them could kill by fright.
20Even apart from these, men could fall at a single breath when pursued by justice
and scattered by the breath of your power.
But you have arranged all things by measure and number and weight.
21For it is always in your power to show great strength,
and who can withstand the might of your arm?
22Because the whole world before you is like a speck that tips the scales,
and like a drop of morning dew that falls upon the ground.
23But you are merciful to all, for you can do all things,
and you overlook men's sins, that they may repent.
24For you love all things that exist,
and have loathing for none of the things which you have made,
for you would not have made anything if you had hated it.
25How would anything have endured if you had not willed it?
Or how would anything not called forth by you have been preserved?
26You spare all things, for they are yours, O Lord who lovest the living.
| << | Wis:11 | >> |
|---|