7
So thy people received the salvation of the just, and destruction of the unjust.
8
For as thou didst punish the adversaries: so thou didst also encourage and glorify us.
9
For the just children of good men were offering sacrifice secretly, and they unanimously ordered a law of justice: that the just should receive both good and evil alike, singing now the praises of the fathers.
10
But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable mourning was heard for the children that were bewailed.
11
And the servant suffered the same punishment as the master, and a common man suffered in like manner as the king.
12
So all alike had innumerable dead, with one kind of death. Neither were the living sufficient to bury them; for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.
13
For whereas they would not believe any thing before by reason of the enchantments, then first upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged the people to be of God.
14
For while all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course,
15
Thy almighty word leapt down from heaven from thy royal throne, as a fierce conqueror into the midst of the land of destruction.
16
With a sharp sword carrying thy unfeigned commandment, and he stood and filled all things with death, and standing on the earth reached even to heaven.
17
Then suddenly visions of evil dreams troubled them, and fears unlooked for came upon them.