17
Punish us not by means of the uncleanness of their men, nor chastise us by means of their profanity; lest the lawless ones should boast in their rage, and exult in exuberant pride of speech, and say,
18
We have trampled upon the holy house, as idolatrous houses are trampled upon.
19
Blot out our iniquities, and do away with our errors, and shew forth thy compassion in this hour.
20
Let thy mercies quickly go before us. Grant us peace, that the cast down and broken hearted may praise thee with their mouth.
21
At that time God, who seeth all things, who is beyond all Holy among the holy, heard that prayer, so suitable; and scourged the man greatly uplifted with scorn and insolence.
22
Shaking him to and fro as a reed is shaken with the wind, he cast him upon the pavement, powerless, with limbs paralyzed; by a righteous judgment deprived of the faculty of speech.
23
His friends and bodyguards, beholding the swift recompense which had suddenly overtaken him, struck with exceeding terror, and fearing that he would die, speedily removed him.
24
When in course of time he had come to himself, this severe check caused no repentance within him, but he departed with bitter threatenings.
25
He proceeded to Egypt, grew worse in wickedness through his before mentioned companions in wine, who were lost to all goodness;
26
and not satisfied with countless acts of impiety, his audacity so increased that he raised evil reports there, and many of his friends, watching his purpose attentively, joined in furthering his will.
27
His purpose was to indict a public stigma upon our race; wherefore he erected a pillar at the tower-porch, and caused the following inscription to be engraved upon it: