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Therefore by the like were they punished deservedly, and by the multitude of beasts tormented.
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Instead of this punishment, dealing graciously with Thine own people, Thou prepared for them meat of a strange taste, even quails to stir up their appetite,
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to the end that they, desiring food, might for the ugly sight of the beasts sent among them loathe even that which they must desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space, might be made partakers of a strange taste.
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For it was requisite that upon those exercising tyranny should come penury which they could not avoid; but to these it should only be shown how their enemies were tormented.
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For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon Thy people, and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, Thy wrath endured not for ever;
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but they were troubled for a short season, that they might be admonished, having a sign of salvation to put them in remembrance of the commandment of Thy law.
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For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw, but by Thee, who art the Savior of all.
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And in this Thou made Thine enemies confess that it is Thou who deliverest from all evil.
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For the biting of grasshoppers and flies killed them, neither was there found any remedy for their life; for they were deserving to be punished by such.
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But the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame not Thy sons, for Thy mercy was ever by them and healed them.
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For they were pricked, that they should remember Thy words, and were quickly saved, that not falling into deep forgetfulness they might be continually mindful of Thy goodness.
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For it was neither herb nor mollifying plaster that restored them to health, but Thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things.
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For Thou hast power of life and death; Thou leadest to the gates of hell and bringest up again.
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A man indeed killeth through his malice; and the spirit, when it is gone forth, returneth not, neither the soul received up cometh again.
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But it is not possible to escape Thine hand.
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For the ungodly, refusing to know Thee, were scourged by the strength of Thine arm. With strange rains, hails, and showers were they persecuted, which they could not avoid, and through fire were they consumed.
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For (which is most to be wondered at) the fire had more force in the water that quencheth all things; for the world fighteth for the righteous.
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For sometimes the flame was mitigated, that it might not burn up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly, but themselves might see and perceive that they were persecuted by the judgment of God.
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And at another time it burneth even in the midst of water above the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land.
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Instead thereof Thou feddest Thine own people with angels' food, and didst send them bread from heaven prepared without their labor, able to satisfy every man's delight, and agreeing to every taste.
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For Thy sustenance declared Thy sweetness unto Thy children, and, serving the appetite of the eater, was tempered to every man's liking.
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But snow and ice endured the fire and melted not, that they might know that fire, burning in the hail and sparkling in the rain, did destroy the fruits of their enemies.
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But this again did even forget his own strength, that the righteous might be nourished.
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For the creation that serveth Thee who art the Maker, increaseth his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment, and abateth his strength for the benefit of such as put their trust in Thee.
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Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions, and was obedient to Thy grace, that nourisheth all things, according to the desire of them that had need,
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that Thy children, O Lord, whom Thou lovest, might know that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man, but that it is Thy word, which preserveth them that put their trust in Thee.
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For that which was not destroyed by the fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, soon melted away,
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that it might be known that we must precede the sun to give Thee thanks, and at the dayspring pray unto Thee.
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For the hope of the unfaithful shall melt away as the winter's hoarfrost, and shall run away as unprofitable water.