Wisdom 18

Wisdom 18:1

Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light, whose voice they hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered the same things, they counted them happy.

Wisdom 18:2

But for that they did not hurt them now, of whom they had been wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon for that they had been enemies.

Wisdom 18:3

Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain them honourably.

Wisdom 18:4

For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world.

Wisdom 18:5

And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water.

Wisdom 18:6

Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer.

Wisdom 18:7

So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous, and destruction of the enemies.

Wisdom 18:8

For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries, by the same thou didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called.

Wisdom 18:9

For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise.

Wisdom 18:10

But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that were bewailed.

Wisdom 18:11

The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and like as the king, so suffered the common person.

Wisdom 18:12

So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death; neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.

Wisdom 18:13

For whereas they would not believe any thing by reason of the enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God.

Wisdom 18:14

For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course,

Wisdom 18:15

Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction,

Wisdom 18:16

And brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth.

Wisdom 18:17

Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for.

Wisdom 18:18

And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death.

Wisdom 18:19

For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted.

Wisdom 18:20

Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath endured not long.

Wisdom 18:21

For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant.

Wisdom 18:22

So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers.

Wisdom 18:23

For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living.

Wisdom 18:24

For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon the diadem of his head.

Wisdom 18:25

Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.
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