18
and one here and another there, hurled down half dead, made known why they were dying;
19
for the dreams which disturbed them forewarned them of this, so that they might not perish without knowing why they suffered.
20
The experience of death touched also the righteous, and a plague came upon the multitude in the desert, but the wrath did not long continue.
21
For a blameless man was quick to act as their champion; he brought forward the shield of his ministry, prayer and propitiation by incense; he withstood the anger and put an end to the disaster, showing that he was thy servant.
22
He conquered the wrath not by strength of body, and not by force of arms, but by his word he subdued the punisher, appealing to the oaths and covenants given to our fathers.
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.