1 Therefore by the like were they punished worthily, and by the multitude of beasts tormented.

1 Propter hæc et per his similia passi sunt digne tormenta,
et per multitudinem bestiarum exterminati sunt.

2 Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with thine own people, thou preparedst for them meat of a strange taste, even quails to stir up their appetite:

2 Pro quibus tormentis bene disposuisti populum tuum,
quibus dedisti concupiscentiam delectamenti sui novum saporem,
escam parans eis ortygometram:

3 To the end that they, desiring food, might for the ugly sight of the beasts sent among them lothe even that, which they must needs desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space, might be made partakers of a strange taste.

3 ut illi quidem, concupiscentes escam
propter ea quæ illis ostensa et missa sunt,
etiam a necessaria concupiscentia averterentur.
Hi autem in brevi inopes facti, novam gustaverunt escam.

4 For it was requisite, that upon them exercising tyranny should come penury, which they could not avoid: but to these it should only be shewed how their enemies were tormented.

4 Oportebat enim illis sine excusatione quidem
supervenire interitum exercentibus tyrannidem;
his autem tantum ostendere
quemadmodum inimici eorum exterminabantur.

5 For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these, and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, thy wrath endured not for ever:

5 Etenim cum illis supervenit sæva bestiarum ira,
morsibus perversorum colubrorum exterminabantur.

6 But they were troubled for a small season, that they might be admonished, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law.

6 Sed non in perpetuum ira tua permansit,
sed ad correptionem in brevi turbati sunt,
signum habentes salutis ad commemorationem mandati legis tuæ.

7 For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw, but by thee, that art the Saviour of all.

7 Qui enim conversus est,
non per hoc quod videbat sanabatur,
sed per te, omnium salvatorem.

8 And in this thou madest thine enemies confess, that it is thou who deliverest from all evil:

8 In hoc autem ostendisti inimicis nostris
quia tu es qui liberas ab omni malo.

9 For them the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed, neither was there found any remedy for their life: for they were worthy to be punished by such.

9 Illos enim locustarum et muscarum occiderunt morsus,
et non est inventa sanitas animæ illorum,
quia digni erant ab hujuscemodi exterminari.

10 But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame: for thy mercy was ever by them, and healed them.

10 Filios autem tuos nec draconum venenatorum vicerunt dentes:
misericordia enim tua adveniens sanabat illos.

11 For they were pricked, that they should remember thy words; and were quickly saved, that not falling into deep forgetfulness, they might be continually mindful of thy goodness.

11 In memoria enim sermonum tuorum examinabantur,
et velociter salvabantur:
ne in altam incidentes oblivionem
non possent tuo uti adjutorio.

12 For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaister, that restored them to health: but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things.

12 Etenim neque herba, neque malagma sanavit eos:
sed tuus, Domine, sermo, qui sanat omnia.

13 For thou hast power of life and death: thou leadest to the gates of hell, and bringest up again.

13 Tu es enim, Domine, qui vitæ et mortis habes potestatem,
et deducis ad portas mortis, et reducis.

14 A man indeed killeth through his malice: and the spirit, when it is gone forth, returneth not; neither the soul received up cometh again.

14 Homo autem occidit quidem per malitiam;
et cum exierit spiritus, non revertetur,
nec revocabit animam quæ recepta est.

15 But it is not possible to escape thine hand.

15 Sed tuam manum effugere impossibile est.

16 For the ungodly, that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thine arm: with strange rains, hails, and showers, were they persecuted, that they could not avoid, and through fire were they consumed.

16 Negantes enim te nosse impii,
per fortitudinem brachii tui flagellati sunt:
novis aquis, et grandinibus,
et pluviis persecutionem passi,
et per ignem consumpti.

17 For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force in the water, that quencheth all things: for the world fighteth for the righteous.

17 Quod enim mirabile erat, in aqua, quæ omnia extinguit,
plus ignis valebat:
vindex est enim orbis justorum.

18 For some time the flame was mitigated, that it might not burn up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly; but themselves might see and perceive that they were persecuted with the judgment of God.

18 Quodam enim tempore mansuetabatur ignis,
ne comburerentur quæ ad impios missa erant animalia,
sed ut ipsi videntes scirent
quoniam Dei judicio patiuntur persecutionem.

19 And at another time it burneth even in the midst of water above the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land.

19 Et quodam tempore in aqua
supra virtutem ignis exardescebat undique,
ut iniquæ terræ nationem exterminaret.

20 Instead whereof thou feddest thine own people with angels' food, and didst send them from heaven bread prepared without their labour, able to content every man's delight, and agreeing to every taste.

20 Pro quibus angelorum esca nutrivisti populum tuum,
et paratum panem de cælo præstitisti illis sine labore,
omne delectamentum in se habentem,
et omnis saporis suavitatem.

21 For thy sustenance declared thy sweetness unto thy children, and serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man's liking.

21 Substantia enim tua dulcedinem tuam,
quam in filios habes, ostendebat;
et deserviens uniuscujusque voluntati,
ad quod quisque volebat convertebatur.

22 But snow and ice endured the fire, and melted not, that they might know that fire burning in the hail, and sparkling in the rain, did destroy the fruits of the enemies.

22 Nix autem et glacies sustinebant vim ignis, et non tabescebant:
ut scirent quoniam fructus inimicorum exterminabat
ignis ardens in grandine et pluvia coruscans;

23 But this again did even forget his own strength, that the righteous might be nourished.

23 hic autem iterum ut nutrirentur justi,
etiam suæ virtutis oblitus est.

24 For the creature that serveth thee, who art the Maker, increaseth his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment, and abateth his strength for the benefit of such as put their trust in thee.

24 Creatura enim tibi factori deserviens,
exardescit in tormentum adversus injustos,
et lenior fit ad benefaciendum pro his qui in te confidunt.

25 Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all things, according to the desire of them that had need:

25 Propter hoc et tunc in omnia transfigurata,
omnium nutrici gratiæ tuæ deserviebat,
ad voluntatem eorum qui a te desiderabant:

26 That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovest, might know, that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man: but that it is thy word, which preserveth them that put their trust in thee.

26 ut scirent filii tui quos dilexisti, Domine,
quoniam non nativitatis fructus pascunt homines,
sed sermo tuus hos qui in te crediderint conservat.

27 For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, soon melted away:

27 Quod enim ab igne non poterat exterminari,
statim ab exiguo radio solis calefactum tabescebat:

28 That it might be known, that we must prevent the sun to give thee thanks, and at the dayspring pray unto thee.

28 ut notum omnibus esset
quoniam oportet prævenire solem ad benedictionem tuam,
et ad ortum lucis te adorare.

29 For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's hoar frost, and shall run away as unprofitable water.

29 Ingrati enim spes tamquam hibernalis glacies tabescet,
et disperiet tamquam aqua supervacua.