5
When your enemies were carrying out their resolve to kill the babies of your holy people, there was one child who was abandoned but later rescued. Then you punished your enemies by killing a great number of their own children. You drowned their whole army at one time in the rushing waters.
6
But our ancestors had been told in advance of what would happen that night, so that they would be cheered and encouraged by confident trust in your promises to them.
7
Your people knew that you would rescue the righteous nation and destroy their enemies.
8
With the same act you punished our enemies and did us the glorious honor of calling us to yourself.
9
During all this time devout people from this righteous nation were secretly offering sacrifices, giving their word to each other that they would keep God's law and share each other's blessings and dangers. Already they were chanting those ancient hymns of praise.
10
But their enemies' pitiful cries of grief echoed everywhere, as they mourned for their dead children.
11
Masters suffered the same punishment as their slaves; the king endured the same loss as the common people.
12
There were too many dead bodies to count. There were not enough people left to bury them all. In a single moment their dearest children died; all of them met death in the same way.
13
These people had paid no attention to any warning, but relied instead on their magical powers. But when their first-born sons were killed, then they recognized that Israel was God's son.
14
The short night was half over, and all was quiet and peaceful,
15
when suddenly your threats were carried out! An invincible word of judgment sped from your royal throne in heaven, straight down to that doomed land. It came like a soldier in fierce attack,