Wisdom of Solomon 19

But upon the ungodly, wrath came without mercy to the very end; for God knew in advance what they would do —

that after permitting them to depart and sending them eagerly on their way, they would pursue them, seized by regret.

For while they still held mourning in their hands, weeping at the graves of the dead, they took upon themselves another foolish resolve, and pursued as fugitives those whom they had begged to leave.

For a deserved compulsion drove them to this end, and made them forget what had happened, so that they might fill up the punishment that was still lacking in their torments.

and that your people might accomplish a marvelous journey, while they found a strange death.

For the whole creation in its nature was fashioned anew from the beginning, complying with your commands, so that your children might be kept unharmed.

For the cloud overshadowed their camp, and dry land appeared where water had been before — an unimpeded road through the Red Sea, and a sprouting field out of the violent deep.

Through which the whole nation passed, sheltered by your hand, beholding your wonders.

For like horses they ranged freely, and like lambs they leaped for joy, praising you, Lord, who had delivered them.

For they still remembered what had happened during their sojourn — how instead of cattle the earth brought forth gnats, and instead of fish the river spewed out a multitude of frogs.

But finally they saw a new creation of birds, when, driven by desire, they asked for luxurious food.

For to satisfy their desire, quail came up from the sea, and punishments came upon the sinners — not without prior signs through the violence of thunder.

For they justly suffered according to their own wickedness, since they practiced a more detestable inhospitality — some refused to receive strangers, while others enslaved guests who had shown them kindness.

And not only that, but there will be a certain judgment upon those who received foreigners with hostility.

But those who had received them with festive joy, they later afflicted with dreadful suffering — people who had already shared their rights.

They were struck with blindness, just as those at the door of the righteous man — when they were covered with sudden darkness, each one sought the entrance to his own door.

For the elements changed places with one another, as on a harp the notes vary the nature of the rhythm while each note remains the same — as can be clearly seen from what happened.

For land animals were changed into water creatures, and swimming things moved over to the land.

Fire had power in water beyond its own nature, and water forgot its quenching property.

Flames on the other hand did not consume the flesh of perishable creatures that walked through them, nor did they melt the ice-like heavenly food that would easily have melted.

For in all things, Lord, you magnified your people and glorified them, and you did not neglect them, standing by them at every time and in every place.