1 For this cause, they were deservedly punished through creatures like those which they worship, and tormented through a multitude of vermin. (WEB) 2 Instead of this punishment, you, giving benefits to your people, prepared quails for food, a delicacy to satisfy the desire of their appetite, (WEB) 3 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 time suffered lack, might even partake of delicacies. (WEB) 4 For it was necessary that inescapable lack should come upon those oppressors, but that to these it should only be showed how their enemies were tormented. (WEB) 5 For even when terrible raging of wild beasts came upon your people, and they were perishing by the bites of crooked serpents, your wrath didn’t continue to the uttermost; (WEB) 6 but for admonition were they troubled for a short time, having a token of salvation to put them in remembrance of the commandment of your law; (WEB) 7 for he who turned toward it was not saved because of that which was seen, but because of you, the Savior of all. (WEB) 8 Yes, and in this you persuaded our enemies that you are he who delivers out of every evil. (WEB) 9 For the bites of locusts and flies truly killed them. No healing for their life was found, because they were worthy to be punished by such things. (WEB) 10 But your children weren’t overcome by the very fangs of venomous dragons, for your mercy passed by where they were and healed them. (WEB) 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 unable to respond to your kindness. (WEB) 12 For truly it was neither herb nor poultice that cured them, but your word, O Lord, which heals all people. (WEB) 13 For you have authority over life and death, and you lead down to the gates of Hades, and lead up again. (WEB) 14 But though a man kills by his wickedness, he can’t retrieve the spirit that has departed or release the imprisoned soul. (WEB) 15 But it is not possible to escape your hand; (WEB) 16 for ungodly men, refusing to know you, were scourged in the strength of your arm, pursued with strange rains and hails and relentless storms, and utterly consumed with fire. (WEB) 17 For, what was most marvelous, in the water which quenches all things, the fire burned hotter; for the world fights for the righteous. (WEB) 18 For at one time the flame was restrained, that it might not burn up the creatures sent against the ungodly, but that these themselves as they looked might see that they were chased by the judgment of God. (WEB) 19 At another time even in the midst of water it burns more intensely than… (WEB) 20 … (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 16:1–29
Semantically similar passages
2 Esdras 8:58–60
58 and said in their heart that there is no God—even knowing that they must die. (WEB) 59 For as the things I have said will welcome you, so thirst and pain which are prepared for them. For the Most High didn’t intend that men should be destroyed, (WEB) 60 but those who are created… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 11:4–6
4 They thirsted, and they called upon you, and water was given to them out of the flinty rock, and healing of their thirst out of the hard stone. (WEB) 5 For by what things their foes were punished, by these they in their need were benefited. (WEB) 6 When enemies were troubled w… (WEB)
2 Baruch 13:8–10
8 For how long? Thou wilt say to them: Ye who have drunk the strained wine, Drink ye also of its dregs, The judgement of the Lofty One Who has no respect of persons." (2BA) 9 On this account he had aforetime no mercy on His own sons, But afflicted them as His enemies, b… (2BA)
Wisdom of Solomon 11:16–18
16 that they might learn that by what things a man sins, by these he is punished. (WEB) 17 For your all-powerful hand that created the world out of formless matter didn’t lack means to send upon them a multitude of bears, fierce lions, (WEB) 18 or newly-created and unknown wild bea… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 12:24–26
24 For truly they went astray very far in the ways of error, Taking as gods those animals which even among their enemies were held in dishonor, deceived like foolish babes. (WEB) 25 Therefore, as to unreasoning children, you sent your judgment to mock them. (WEB) 26 But those who w… (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 12:8–10
8 Nevertheless you even spared these as men, and you sent hornets as forerunners of your army, to cause them to perish little by little. (WEB) 9 Not that you were unable to subdue the ungodly under the hand of the righteous in battle, or by terrible beasts or by a stern… (WEB)
2 Esdras 16:4–6
4 A fire has been sent upon you, and who is there to quench it? (WEB) 5 Calamities are sent upon you, and who is there to drive them away? (WEB) 6 Can one drive away a hungry lion in the forest? Can one quench a fire in stubble, once it has begun to burn? (WEB)
Wisdom of Solomon 12:19–21
19 But you taught your people by such works as these, how the righteous must be kind. You made your sons to have good hope, because you give repentance when men have sinned. (WEB) 20 For if on those who were enemies of your servants and deserving of death, you took vengea… (WEB)
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources