10
For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they knew how the wicked were judged with wrath and tormented.
11
For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn.
12
For whether absent or present, they were tormented alike.
13
For a double affliction came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past.
14
For when they heard that by their punishments the others were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the end of what was come to pass.
15
For whom they scorned before, when he was thrown out at the time of his being wickedly exposed to perish, him they admired in the end, when they saw the event: their thirsting being unlike to that of the just.
16
But for the foolish devices of their iniquity, because some being deceived worshipped dumb serpents and worthless beasts, thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb beasts for vengeance.
17
That they might know that by what things a man sinneth, by the same also he is tormented.
18
For thy almighty hand, which made the world of matter without form, was not unable to send upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,
19
Or unknown beasts of a new kind, full of rage: either breathing out a fiery vapour, or sending forth a stinking smoke, or shooting horrible sparks out of their eyes:
20
Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.