Wisdom 11:1-9

1 Wisdom prospered their works by the hand of a holy prophet.
2 They journeyed through an uninhabited wilderness, and pitched their tents in untrodden places.
3 They withstood their enemies and fought off their foes.
4 When they thirsted they called upon thee, and water was given them out of flinty rock, and slaking of thirst from hard stone.
5 For through the very things by which their enemies were punished, they themselves received benefit in their need.
6 Instead of the fountain of an ever-flowing river, stirred up and defiled with blood
7 in rebuke for the decree to slay the infants, thou gavest them abundant water unexpectedly,
8 showing by their thirst at that time how thou didst punish their enemies.
9 For when they were tried, though they were being disciplined in mercy, they learned how the ungodly were tormented when judged in wrath.
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.