Wisdom 16:7-17

7 For he who turned toward it was saved, not by what he saw, but by thee, the Savior of all.
8 And by this also thou didst convince our enemies that it is thou who deliverest from every evil.
9 For they were killed by the bites of locusts and flies, and no healing was found for them, because they deserved to be punished by such things;
10 but thy sons were not conquered even by the teeth of venomous serpents, for thy mercy came to their help and healed them.
11 To remind them of thy oracles they were bitten, and then were quickly delivered, lest they should fall into deep forgetfulness and become unresponsive to thy kindness.
12 For neither herb nor poultice cured them, but it was thy word, O Lord, which heals all men.
13 For thou hast power over life and death; thou dost lead men down to the gates of Hades and back again.
14 A man in his wickedness kills another, but he cannot bring back the departed spirit, nor set free the imprisoned soul.
15 To escape from thy hand is impossible;
16 for the ungodly, refusing to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thy arm, pursued by unusual rains and hail and relentless storms, and utterly consumed by fire.
17 For -- most incredible of all -- in the water, which quenches all things, the fire had still greater effect, for the universe defends the righteous.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.