Wisdom 16

For these things, and by the like things to these, they were worthily punished, and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts.

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

διὰ τοῦτο δι' ὁμοίων ἐκολάσθησαν ἀξίως καὶ διὰ πλήθους κνωδάλων ἐβασανίσθησαν

Instead of which punishment, dealing well with thy people, thou gavest them their desire of delicious food, of a new taste, preparing for them quails for their meat:

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

ἀνθ' ἧς κολάσεως εὐεργετήσας τὸν λαόν σου εἰς ἐπιθυμίαν ὀρέξεως ξένην γεῦσιν τροφὴν ἡτοίμασας ὀρτυγομήτραν

To the end, that they indeed desiring food, by means of those things that were shown and sent among them, might loath even that which was necessary to satisfy their desire. But these, after suffering want for a short time, tasted a new meat.

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.

ἵνα ἐκεῖνοι μὲν ἐπιθυμοῦντες τροφὴν διὰ τὴν εἰδέχθειαν τῶν ἐπαπεσταλμένων καὶ τὴν ἀναγκαίαν ὄρεξιν ἀποστρέφωνται αὐτοὶ δὲ ἐπ' ὀλίγον ἐνδεεῖς γενόμενοι καὶ ξένης μετάσχωσι γεύσεως

For it was requisite that inevitable destruction should come upon them that exercised tyranny: but to these it should only be shown how their enemies were destroyed.

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

ἔδει γὰρ ἐκείνοις μὲν ἀπαραίτητον ἔνδειαν ἐπελθεῖν τυραννοῦσιν τούτοις δὲ μόνον δειχθῆναι πῶς οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτῶν ἐβασανίζοντο

For when the fierce rage of beasts came upon these, they were destroyed by the bitings of crooked serpents.

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

καὶ γὰρ ὅτε αὐτοῖς δεινὸς ἐπῆλθεν θηρίων θυμὸς δήγμασίν τε σκολιῶν διεφθείροντο ὄφεων οὐ μέχρι τέλους ἔμεινεν ἡ ὀργή σου

But thy wrath endured not for ever, but they were troubled for a short time for their correction, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law.

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

εἰς νουθεσίαν δὲ πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐταράχθησαν σύμβολον ἔχοντες σωτηρίας εἰς ἀνάμνησιν ἐντολῆς νόμου σου

For he that turned to it, was not healed by that which he saw, but by thee, the Saviour of all.

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

ὁ γὰρ ἐπιστραφεὶς οὐ διὰ τὸ θεωρούμενον ἐσῴζετο ἀλλὰ διὰ σὲ τὸν πάντων σωτῆρα

And in this thou didst show to our enemies, that thou art he who deliverest from all evil.

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

καὶ ἐν τούτῳ δὲ ἔπεισας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἡμῶν ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ῥυόμενος ἐκ παντὸς κακοῦ

For the bitings of locusts, and of flies, killed them, and there was found no remedy for their life: because they were worthy to be destroyed by such things.

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

οὓς μὲν γὰρ ἀκρίδων καὶ μυιῶν ἀπέκτεινεν δήγματα καὶ οὐχ εὑρέθη ἴαμα τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτῶν ὅτι ἄξιοι ἦσαν ὑπὸ τοιούτων κολασθῆναι

But not even the teeth of venomous serpents overcame thy children: for thy mercy came and healed them.

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

τοὺς δὲ υἱούς σου οὐδὲ ἰοβόλων δρακόντων ἐνίκησαν ὀδόντες τὸ ἔλεος γάρ σου ἀντιπαρῆλθεν καὶ ἰάσατο αὐτούς

For they were examined for the remembrance of thy words, and were quickly healed, lest falling into deep forgetfulness, they might not be able to use thy help.

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

εἰς γὰρ ὑπόμνησιν τῶν λογίων σου ἐνεκεντρίζοντο καὶ ὀξέως διεσῴζοντο ἵνα μὴ εἰς βαθεῖαν ἐμπεσόντες λήθην ἀπερίσπαστοι γένωνται τῆς σῆς εὐεργεσίας

For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaster, that healed them, but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things.

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

καὶ γὰρ οὔτε βοτάνη οὔτε μάλαγμα ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτούς ἀλλὰ ὁ σός κύριε λόγος ὁ πάντας ἰώμενος

For it is thou, O Lord, that hast power of life and death, and leadest down to the gates of death, and bringest back again:

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

σὺ γὰρ ζωῆς καὶ θανάτου ἐξουσίαν ἔχεις καὶ κατάγεις εἰς πύλας ᾅδου καὶ ἀνάγεις

A man indeed killeth through malice, and when the spirit is gone forth, it shall not return, neither shall he call back the soul that is received:

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

ἄνθρωπος δὲ ἀποκτέννει μὲν τῇ κακίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἐξελθὸν δὲ πνεῦμα οὐκ ἀναστρέφει οὐδὲ ἀναλύει ψυχὴν παραλημφθεῖσαν

But it is impossible to escape thy hand:

Sed tuam manum effugere impossibile est.

τὴν δὲ σὴν χεῖρα φυγεῖν ἀδύνατόν ἐστιν

For the wicked that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thy arm, being persecuted by strange waters, and hail, and rain, and consumed by fire.

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

ἀρνούμενοι γάρ σε εἰδέναι ἀσεβεῖς ἐν ἰσχύι βραχίονός σου ἐμαστιγώθησαν ξένοις ὑετοῖς καὶ χαλάζαις καὶ ὄμβροις διωκόμενοι ἀπαραιτήτοις καὶ πυρὶ καταναλισκόμενοι

And which was wonderful, in water, which extinguisheth all things, the fire had more force: for the world fighteth for the just.

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

τὸ γὰρ παραδοξότατον ἐν τῷ πάντα σβεννύντι ὕδατι πλεῖον ἐνήργει τὸ πῦρ ὑπέρμαχος γὰρ ὁ κόσμος ἐστὶν δικαίων

For at one time the fire was mitigated, that the beasts which were sent against the wicked might not be burnt, but that they might see, and perceive that they were persecuted by the judgment of God.

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

ποτὲ μὲν γὰρ ἡμεροῦτο φλόξ ἵνα μὴ καταφλέξῃ τὰ ἐπ' ἀσεβεῖς ἀπεσταλμένα ζῷα ἀλλ' αὐτοὶ βλέποντες εἰδῶσιν ὅτι θεοῦ κρίσει ἐλαύνονται

And at another time the fire, above its own power, burnt in the midst of water, to destroy the fruits of a wicked land.

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

ποτὲ δὲ καὶ μεταξὺ ὕδατος ὑπὲρ τὴν πυρὸς δύναμιν φλέγει ἵνα ἀδίκου γῆς γενήματα διαφθείρῃ

Instead of which things, thou didst feed thy people with the food of angels, and gavest them bread from heaven, prepared without labour; having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste.

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.

ἀνθ' ὧν ἀγγέλων τροφὴν ἐψώμισας τὸν λαόν σου καὶ ἕτοιμον ἄρτον ἀπ' οὐρανοῦ παρέσχες αὐτοῖς ἀκοπιάτως πᾶσαν ἡδονὴν ἰσχύοντα καὶ πρὸς πᾶσαν ἁρμόνιον γεῦσιν

For thy sustenance showed thy sweetness to thy children, and serving every man’s will, it was turned to what every man liked.

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

ἡ μὲν γὰρ ὑπόστασίς σου τὴν σὴν πρὸς τέκνα ἐνεφάνιζεν γλυκύτητα τῇ δὲ τοῦ προσφερομένου ἐπιθυμίᾳ ὑπηρετῶν πρὸς ὅ τις ἐβούλετο μετεκιρνᾶτο

But snow and ice endured the force of fire, and melted not: that they might know that the fire, burning in the hail, and flashing in the rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies.

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

χιὼν δὲ καὶ κρύσταλλος ὑπέμεινε πῦρ καὶ οὐκ ἐτήκετο ἵνα γνῶσιν ὅτι τοὺς τῶν ἐχθρῶν καρποὺς κατέφθειρε πῦρ φλεγόμενον ἐν τῇ χαλάζῃ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ὑετοῖς διαστράπτον

But this same again, that the just might be nourished, did even forget its own strength.

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

τοῦτο πάλιν δ' ἵνα τραφῶσιν δίκαιοι καὶ τῆς ἰδίας ἐπιλέλησται δυνάμεως

For the creature serving thee, the Creator, is made fierce against the unjust for their punishment: and abateth its strength for the benefit of them that trust in thee.

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

ἡ γὰρ κτίσις σοὶ τῷ ποιήσαντι ὑπηρετοῦσα ἐπιτείνεται εἰς κόλασιν κατὰ τῶν ἀδίκων καὶ ἀνίεται εἰς εὐεργεσίαν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἐπὶ σοὶ πεποιθότων

Therefore even then it was transformed into all things, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all, according to the will of them that desired it of thee:

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

διὰ τοῦτο καὶ τότε εἰς πάντα μεταλλευομένη τῇ παντοτρόφῳ σου δωρεᾷ ὑπηρέτει πρὸς τὴν τῶν δεομένων θέλησιν

That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovedst, might know that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth men, but thy word preserveth them that believe in thee.

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

ἵνα μάθωσιν οἱ υἱοί σου οὓς ἠγάπησας κύριε ὅτι οὐχ αἱ γενέσεις τῶν καρπῶν τρέφουσιν ἄνθρωπον ἀλλὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου τοὺς σοὶ πιστεύοντας διατηρεῖ

For that which could not be destroyed by fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, presently melted away:

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

τὸ γὰρ ὑπὸ πυρὸς μὴ φθειρόμενον ἁπλῶς ὑπὸ βραχείας ἀκτῖνος ἡλίου θερμαινόμενον ἐτήκετο

That it might be known to all, that we ought to prevent the sun to bless thee, and adore thee at the dawning of the light.

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

ὅπως γνωστὸν ᾖ ὅτι δεῖ φθάνειν τὸν ἥλιον ἐπ' εὐχαριστίαν σου καὶ πρὸς ἀνατολὴν φωτὸς ἐντυγχάνειν σοι

For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter’s ice, and shall run off as unprofitable water.

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

ἀχαρίστου γὰρ ἐλπὶς ὡς χειμέριος πάχνη τακήσεται καὶ ῥυήσεται ὡς ὕδωρ ἄχρηστον