15
In return for their foolish and wicked thoughts, which led them astray to worship irrational serpents and worthless animals, thou didst send upon them a multitude of irrational creatures to punish them,
16
that they might learn that one is punished by the very things by which he sins.
17
For thy 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,
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or 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;
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not only could their damage exterminate men, but the mere sight of them could kill by fright.
20
Even apart from these, men could fall at a single breath when pursued by justice and scattered by the breath of thy power. But thou hast arranged all things by measure and number and weight.
21
For it is always in thy power to show great strength, and who can withstand the might of thy arm?
22
Because the whole world before thee is like a speck that tips the scales, and like a drop of morning dew that falls upon the ground.
23
But thou art merciful to all, for thou canst do all things, and thou dost overlook men's sins, that they may repent.
24
For thou lovest all things that exist, and hast loathing for none of the things which thou hast made, for thou wouldst not have made anything if thou hadst hated it.
25
How would anything have endured if thou hadst not willed it? Or how would anything not called forth by thee have been preserved?