Wisdom of Solomon 18 τοῖς δὲ ὁσίοις σου μέγιστον ἦν φῶς ὧν φωνὴν μὲν ἀκούοντες μορφὴν δὲ οὐχ ὁρῶντες ὅτι μὲν οὐ κἀκεῖνοι ἐπεπόνθεισαν ἐμακάριζον

LXX_WH⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ τοῖς δὲ ὁσίοις σου μέγιστον ἦν φῶς ὧν φωνὴν μὲν ἀκούοντες μορφὴν δὲ οὐχ ὁρῶντες ὅτι μὲν οὐ κἀκεῖνοι ἐπεπόνθεισαν ἐμακάριζον ² ὅτι δ' οὐ βλάπτουσιν προηδικημένοι ηὐχαρίστουν καὶ τοῦ διενεχθῆναι χάριν ἐδέοντο ³ ἀνθ' ὧν πυριφλεγῆ στῦλον ὁδηγὸν μὲν ἀγνώστου ὁδοιπορίας ἥλιον δὲ ἀβλαβῆ φιλοτίμου ξενιτείας παρέσχες ⁴ ἄξιοι μὲν γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι στερηθῆναι φωτὸς καὶ φυλακισθῆναι σκότει οἱ κατακλείστους φυλάξαντες τοὺς υἱούς σου δι' ὧν ἤμελλεν τὸ ἄφθαρτον νόμου φῶς τῷ αἰῶνι δίδοσθαι ⁵ βουλευσαμένους δ' αὐτοὺς τὰ τῶν ὁσίων ἀποκτεῖναι νήπια καὶ ἑνὸς ἐκτεθέντος τέκνου καὶ σωθέντος εἰς ἔλεγχον τὸ αὐτῶν ἀφείλω πλῆθος τέκνων καὶ ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἀπώλεσας ἐν ὕδατι σφοδρῷ ⁶ ἐκείνη ἡ νὺξ προεγνώσθη πατράσιν ἡμῶν ἵνα ἀσφαλῶς εἰδότες οἷς ἐπίστευσαν ὅρκοις ἐπευθυμήσωσιν ⁷ προσεδέχθη ὑπὸ λαοῦ σου σωτηρία μὲν δικαίων ἐχθρῶν δὲ ἀπώλεια ⁸ ᾧ γὰρ ἐτιμωρήσω τοὺς ὑπεναντίους τούτῳ ἡμᾶς προσκαλεσάμενος ἐδόξασας ⁹ κρυφῇ γὰρ ἐθυσίαζον ὅσιοι παῖδες ἀγαθῶν καὶ τὸν τῆς θειότητος νόμον ἐν ὁμονοίᾳ διέθεντο τῶν αὐτῶν ὁμοίως καὶ ἀγαθῶν καὶ κινδύνων μεταλήμψεσθαι τοὺς ἁγίους πατέρων ἤδη προαναμέλποντες αἴνους ¹⁰ ἀντήχει δ' ἀσύμφωνος ἐχθρῶν ἡ βοή καὶ οἰκτρὰ διεφέρετο φωνὴ θρηνουμένων παίδων ¹¹ ὁμοίᾳ δὲ δίκῃ δοῦλος ἅμα δεσπότῃ κολασθεὶς καὶ δημότης βασιλεῖ τὰ αὐτὰ πάσχων ¹² ὁμοθυμαδὸν δὲ πάντες ἐν ἑνὶ ὀνόματι θανάτου νεκροὺς εἶχον ἀναριθμήτους οὐδὲ γὰρ πρὸς τὸ θάψαι οἱ ζῶντες ἦσαν ἱκανοί ἐπεὶ πρὸς μίαν ῥοπὴν ἡ ἐντιμοτέρα γένεσις αὐτῶν διέφθαρτο ¹³ πάντα γὰρ ἀπιστοῦντες διὰ τὰς φαρμακείας ἐπὶ τῷ τῶν πρωτοτόκων ὀλέθρῳ ὡμολόγησαν θεοῦ υἱὸν λαὸν εἶναι ¹⁴ ἡσύχου γὰρ σιγῆς περιεχούσης τὰ πάντα καὶ νυκτὸς ἐν ἰδίῳ τάχει μεσαζούσης ¹⁵ ὁ παντοδύναμός σου λόγος ἀπ' οὐρανῶν ἐκ θρόνων βασιλείων ἀπότομος πολεμιστὴς εἰς μέσον τῆς ὀλεθρίας ἥλατο γῆς ξίφος ὀξὺ τὴν ἀνυπόκριτον ἐπιταγήν σου φέρων ¹⁶ καὶ στὰς ἐπλήρωσεν τὰ πάντα θανάτου καὶ οὐρανοῦ μὲν ἥπτετο βεβήκει δ' ἐπὶ γῆς ¹⁷ τότε παραχρῆμα φαντασίαι μὲν ὀνείρων δεινῶν ἐξετάραξαν αὐτούς φόβοι δὲ ἐπέστησαν ἀδόκητοι ¹⁸ καὶ ἄλλος ἀλλαχῇ ῥιφεὶς ἡμίθνητος δι' ἣν ἔθνῃσκον αἰτίαν ἐνεφάνιζεν ¹⁹ οἱ γὰρ ὄνειροι θορυβήσαντες αὐτοὺς τοῦτο προεμήνυσαν ἵνα μὴ ἀγνοοῦντες δι' ὃ κακῶς πάσχουσιν ἀπόλωνται ²⁰ ἥψατο δὲ καὶ δικαίων πεῖρα θανάτου καὶ θραῦσις ἐν ἐρήμῳ ἐγένετο πλήθους ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐπὶ πολὺ ἔμεινεν ἡ ὀργή ²¹ σπεύσας γὰρ ἀνὴρ ἄμεμπτος προεμάχησεν τὸ τῆς ἰδίας λειτουργίας ὅπλον προσευχὴν καὶ θυμιάματος ἐξιλασμὸν κομίσας ἀντέστη τῷ θυμῷ καὶ πέρας ἐπέθηκε τῇ συμφορᾷ δεικνὺς ὅτι σός ἐστιν θεράπων ²² ἐνίκησεν δὲ τὸν χόλον οὐκ ἰσχύι τοῦ σώματος οὐχ ὅπλων ἐνεργείᾳ ἀλλὰ λόγῳ τὸν κολάζοντα ὑπέταξεν ὅρκους πατέρων καὶ διαθήκας ὑπομνήσας ²³ σωρηδὸν γὰρ ἤδη πεπτωκότων ἐπ' ἀλλήλων νεκρῶν μεταξὺ στὰς ἀνέκοψε τὴν ὀργὴν καὶ διέσχισεν τὴν πρὸς τοὺς ζῶντας ὁδόν ²⁴ ἐπὶ γὰρ ποδήρους ἐνδύματος ἦν ὅλος ὁ κόσμος καὶ πατέρων δόξαι ἐπὶ τετραστίχου λίθων γλυφῆς καὶ μεγαλωσύνη σου ἐπὶ διαδήματος κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ ²⁵ τούτοις εἶξεν ὁ ὀλεθρεύων ταῦτα δὲ ἐφοβήθη ἦν γὰρ μόνη ἡ πεῖρα τῆς ὀργῆς ἱκανή

Clementine_Vulgate⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ [Sanctis autem tuis maxima erat lux, et horum quidem vocem audiebant, sed figuram non videbant. Et quia non et ipsi eadem passi erant, magnificabant te; ² et qui ante læsi erant, quia non lædebantur, gratias agebant, et ut esset differentia, donum petebant. ³ Propter quod ignis ardentem columnam ducem habuerunt ignotæ viæ, et solem sine læsura boni hospitii præstitisti. ⁴ Digni quidem illi carere luce, et pati carcerem tenebrarum, qui inclusos custodiebant filios tuos, per quos incipiebat incorruptum legis lumen sæculo dari.] ⁵ [Cum cogitarent justorum occidere infantes, et uno exposito filio et liberato, in traductionem illorum, multitudinem filiorum abstulisti, et pariter illos perdidisti in aqua valida. ⁶ Illa enim nox ante cognita est a patribus nostris, ut vere scientes quibus juramentis crediderunt, animæquiores essent. ⁷ Suscepta est autem a populo tuo sanitas quidem justorum, injustorum autem exterminatio. ⁸ Sicut enim læsisti adversarios, sic et nos provocans magnificasti. ⁹ Absconse enim sacrificabant justi pueri bonorum, et justitiæ legem in concordia disposuerunt; similiter et bona et mala recepturos justos, patrum jam decantantes laudes. ¹⁰ Resonabat autem inconveniens inimicorum vox, et flebilis audiebatur planctus ploratorum infantium. ¹¹ Simili autem pœna servus cum domino afflictus est, et popularis homo regi similia passus. ¹² Similiter ergo omnes, uno nomine mortis, mortuos habebant innumerabiles: nec enim ad sepeliendum vivi sufficiebant, quoniam uno momento quæ erat præclarior natio illorum exterminata est. ¹³ De omnibus enim non credentes, propter veneficia; tunc vero primum cum fuit exterminium primogenitorum, spoponderunt populum Dei esse. ¹⁴ Cum enim quietum silentium contineret omnia, et nox in suo cursu medium iter haberet, ¹⁵ omnipotens sermo tuus de cælo, a regalibus sedibus, durus debellator in mediam exterminii terram prosilivit, ¹⁶ gladius acutus insimulatum imperium tuum portans: et stans, replevit omnia morte, et usque ad cælum attingebat stans in terra. ¹⁷ Tunc continuo visus somniorum malorum turbaverunt illos, et timores supervenerunt insperati. ¹⁸ Et alius alibi projectus semivivus, propter quam moriebatur causam demonstrabat mortis. ¹⁹ Visiones enim quæ illos turbaverunt hæc præmonebant, ne inscii quare mala patiebantur perirent. ²⁰ Tetigit autem tunc et justos tentatio mortis, et commotio in eremo facta est multitudinis: sed non diu permansit ira tua. ²¹ Prosperans enim homo sine querela deprecari pro populis, proferens servitutis suæ scutum, orationem et per incensum deprecationem allegans, restitit iræ, et finem imposuit necessitati, ostendens quoniam tuus est famulus. ²² Vicit autem turbas non in virtute corporis, nec armaturæ potentia: sed verbo illum qui se vexabat subjecit, juramenta parentum et testamentum commemorans. ²³ Cum enim jam acervatim cecidissent super alterutrum mortui, interstitit, et amputavit impetum, et divisit illam quæ ad vivos ducebat viam. ²⁴ In veste enim poderis quam habebat, totus erat orbis terrarum; et parentum magnalia in quatuor ordinibus lapidum erant sculpta, et magnificentia tua in diademate capitis illius sculpta erat. ²⁶

Wycliffe⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ But ful greet liyt was to thin hooli seruauntis, and sotheli enemyes herden the vois of hem, but thei sien not the figure, ethir schap; and for also thei suffriden not bi the same thingis, thei magnefieden thee. ² And for thei weren hirt bifore, thei diden thankyngis to thee, for thei weren not hirt; and that difference schulde be bitwixe hem and Egipcians, thei axiden thee, God. ³ For which thing thei hadden a brennynge piler of fier, the ledere of vnknowun weie; and thou yauest the sunne, with out hirtyng of good herbore. ⁴ Forsothe thei weren worthi to wante liyt, and to suffre the prisoun of derknessis, whiche helden thi sones enclosid; bi whiche sones the vncorrupt lijt of lawe bigan to be youun to the world. ⁵ Whanne thei thouyten to sle the yonge children of iust men; and whanne o sone was put forth, and delyuered, thou tokist awei the multitude of sones, for the ledyng ouer of hem, and thou lostist hem togidere in strong watir. ⁶ Forsothe thilke nyyt was knowun bifore of oure fadris, that thei witynge verili to whiche othis thei bileuyden, schulden be more paciente. ⁷ Forsothe helthe of iust men was resseyued verili of thi puple, `and also distriyng of vniust men. ⁸ For as thou hirtidist oure aduersaries, so thou excitidist also vs, and magnefiedist vs. ⁹ For whi iust children of goode men maden sacrifice priueli, and disposiden the lawe of riytfulnesse in to acordyng; thei disposiden iust men to resseyue goodis and yuels in lijk maner, and sungen heriyngis to the fadir of alle men. ¹⁰ But vnsemeli vois of enemyes sownede, and wepeful weilyng of biweperis of yonge children was herd. ¹¹ Forsothe the seruaunt was turmentid bi lijk peyne with the lord; and a man of the puple suffride thingis lijk the kyng. ¹² Therfor in lijk maner alle men bi o name of deth hadden deed men vnnoumbrable, for nether quyke men suffiseden to birie; for whi the nacioun of hem, that was clerere than othere, was destried in o moment. ¹³ Forsothe of alle Egipcians men not bileuynge for benefices, bihiyten hem thanne to be Goddis puple, whanne the distriyng of the firste gendryd thingis was first. ¹⁴ Forsothe whanne alle thingis helden restful silence, and the nyyt hadde the myddil weie in his cours, ¹⁵ Lord, thi word almyyti comynge swiftli fro heuene, cam fro the kyngis seetis; ¹⁶ a scharp swerd berynge thi comaundement not feyned, cam forth, ouercomere in to the myddil of the lond of destriyng; and it stood, and fillide alle thingis with deeth, and it stood in erthe, and stretchide forth til to heuene. ¹⁷ Thanne anoon the siytis of yuel dremes disturbliden hem, and dredis not hopid camen aboue. ¹⁸ And another man cast forth half quyk in an other place, schewide for what cause of deth he diede. ¹⁹ For whi siytis that disturbliden hem, bifore warneden these thingis, that thei schulden perische not vnwityngli, why thei suffriden yuels. ²⁰ Forsothe temptacioun of deth touchide thanne also iust men, and mouyng togidere of multitude was maad in desert; but thin ire dwellide not longe. ²¹ For a man without pleynt hastide to biseche for puplis, and he brouyte forth preier the scheld of his seruyce, and he aleggide preier bi encence, and ayen stood ire; and he settide an ende to the nede, and schewide that he was thi seruaunt. ²² Forsothe he ouercam cumpenyes, not bi vertu of bodi, nether bi armure of power; but he remembride the othis, and the testament of fadris, and bi word he made hym suget, that trauelide hym silf. ²³ For whanne deed men fellen doun bi heepis, ech on other, he stood bitwixe `deed men and lyuynge, and kittide awei the feersnesse of brennyng, and departide that weie, that ledde to quyke men. ²⁴ For whi al the world was in the cloth lastynge to the heelis, which he hadde; and the grete thingis of fadris weren grauun in foure ordris of stoonys; and, Lord, thi magnyficence was writun in the diademe of his heed. ²⁵ Forsothe he that distriede, yaf stide to these thingis, and dredde these thingis; for whi the temptacioun aloone was sufficient to ire.

Geneva⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Bvt thy Saintes had a very great light, whose voyce because they heard, and sawe not the figure of them, they thought them blessed, because they also had not suffred the like. ² And because they did not hurt them, which did hurt them afore, they thanked them, and asked pardon for their enimitie, ³ Therefore thou gauest them a burning pillar of fire to leade them in the vnknowen way, and madest the sunne that it hurted not them in their honourable iourney. ⁴ But they were worthy to be depriued of the light, and to be kept in darkenesse, which had kept thy children shut vp, by whom the vncorrupt light of the Lawe should be giuen to the world. ⁵ Whereas they thought to slay the babes of the Saints, by one childe that was cast out, and preserued to reprooue them, thou hast taken away the multitude of their children and destroied them all together in the mightie water. ⁶ Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that they knowing vnto what othes they had giuen credite, might be of good cheere. ⁷ Thus thy people receiued the health of the righteous, but the enemies were destroied. ⁸ For as thou hast punished the enemies, so hast thou glorified vs whome thou hast called. ⁹ For the righteous children of the good men offred secretely, and made a Lawe of righteousnesse by one consent, that the Saintes shoulde receiue good and euill in like maner, and that the fathers should first sing praises. ¹⁰ But a disagreeing crie was hearde of the enemies, and there was a lamentable noise for the children that were bewailed. ¹¹ For the maister and the seruant were punished with like punishment, and the common people suffred alike with the King. ¹² So they all together had innumerable that died with one kinde of death: neither were ye liuing sufficient to burie them: for in the twinckling of an eye the noblest offspring of them was destroied. ¹³ So they that could beleeue nothing, because of ye inchantments, confessed this people to be the children of God, in the destruction of ye first borne: ¹⁴ For while all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the middest of her swift course, ¹⁵ Thine almighty woorde leapt downe from heauen out of thy royall throne, as a fierce man of warre in the middes of the lande that was destroied, ¹⁶ And brought thine vnfained commaundement as a sharpe sworde, and stoode vp and filled all thinges with death, and being come downe to the earth, it reached vnto the heauens. ¹⁷ Then the sight of the fearefull dreames vexed them suddenly, and fearefulnes came vpon them vnawares. ¹⁸ Then lay there one here, another there halfe dead, and shewed the cause of his death. ¹⁹ For the visios that vexed them, shewed them these things afore: so that they were not ignorant, wherefore they perished. ²⁰ Nowe tentation of death touched the righteous also, and among the multitude in the wildernesse there was a plague, but the wrath indured not long. ²¹ For the blameles man made haste, and defended them, and tooke the weapons of his ministration, euen prayer, and the reconciliation by the perfume, and set himselfe against the wrath, and so brought the miserie to an ende, declaring that hee was thy seruaunt. ²² For he ouercame not the multitude with bodily power, nor with force of weapons, but with the word he subdued him that punished, alleadging the othes and couenant made vnto the fathers. ²³ For when the dead were fallen downe by heapes one vpon another, hee stoode in the middes, and cut off the wrath, and parted it from comming to the liuing. ²⁴ For in the long garment was all the ornament, and in the foure rowes of the stones was the glory of the fathers grauen with thy maiestie in the diademe of his head. ²⁵ Vnto these the destroier gaue place, and was afraide of them: for it was sufficient, that they had tasted the wrath.

Bishops⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Neuerthelesse, thy saintes had a very great light, whose voyce they hearing, and not seeing their figure, for that they suffred not the same thinges, they thought them blessed. ² And for that they dyd not hurt them nowe of whom they had ben wronged before, they thanked them, & besought them pardon of that they had ben enemies. ³ Therfore thou gauest them a burning piller of fire to leade them in the vnknowen way, and the sunne not to hurt them in their honourable iourney. ⁴ But reason it was that they shoulde leese the light and be put in the pryson of darknesse, whiche had kept thy chyldren shut vp, by whom the vncorrupt light of the lawe was to be geuen vnto the worlde. ⁵ After when they thought to slay the babes of the saintes, one chylde beyng cast out, and preserued to reproue them, thou tokest away the whole multitude of their chyldren, and destroyedst them altogether in a mightie water. ⁶ Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that they knowing vnto what othes they had geuen credence, might be of good cheare. ⁷ Thus thy people receaued the health of the righteous, but the vngodly were destroyed. ⁸ For like as thou hast reuenged our enemies, so hast thou promoted vs whom thou hast called. ⁹ For the righteous chyldren of the good men offred secretely, and made a godly lawe with one consent, that the saintes should in like maner receaue together both good and euil, and that the fathers nowe should first sing prayses. ¹⁰ But there was hearde a disagreing voyce of the enemies, and there was a miserable lamentation for children that were bewayled. ¹¹ The maister and the seruaunt were punished after one maner: and lyke as the king, so suffred the common people: ¹² So they had innumerable that dyed with one kinde of death altogether: neither were the liuing sufficient to bury the dead, for in the twinckling of an eye the noblest ofspring of them was destroyed. ¹³ For whereas they woulde discredite all thinges by reason of the inchauntmentes, in the destruction of the first borne they acknowledged that this people was the chyldren of God. ¹⁴ For whyle all thinges were styl in scilence, and when the night was in the middest of her course, thy almightie worde O Lorde lept downe from heauen out of thy royall trone, ¹⁵ As a rough man of warre in the middest of the land that was destroyed, ¹⁶ And brought thyne vnfayned commaundement as a sharpe sworde, and standing vp, filled all thinges with death, yea it stoode vpon the earth and reached vnto the heauen. ¹⁷ Then the sightes of the euyl dreames vexed them sodainly, and fearefulnesse came vpon them vnawares. ¹⁸ Then lay there one here, another there halfe dead [halfe quicke] and shewed the cause of his death. ¹⁹ For the visions that vexed them, shewed them these thinges afore, that they might not be ignoraunt wherefore they perished. ²⁰ Yea the temptation of death touched the righteous also, and among the multitude in the wildernesse there was insurrection: but thy wrath endured not long. ²¹ For the blamelesse man went in all the haste, and toke the battayle vpon hym, brought foorth the weapon of his ministration, euen prayer and the reconciliation of incense, set hym selfe against the wrath, and so brought the miserie to an ende, declaring [therby] that he was thy seruaunt. ²² For he ouercame not the multitude with bodyly power or force of weapons: but with the word he subdued him that vexed, alleaging the oth and couenaunt made vnto the fathers. ²³ For when the dead were fallen downe by heapes one vpon another, he stoode in the middest, pacified the wrath, and parted the way that it might not come to the liuing. ²⁴ And why? in his long garment was all the beautie, and in the foure rowes of the stones was the glory of the fathers grauen, and thy maiestie was wrytten in the crowne of his head. ²⁵ Unto these the destroyer gaue place, and was afrayde of them: for it was inough that they onlye tasted of the wrath.

DouayRheims⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ But thy saints had a very great light, and they heard their voice indeed, but did not see their shape. And because they also did not suffer the same things, they glorified thee: ² And they that before had been wronged, gave thanks, because they were not hurt now: and asked this gift, that there might be a difference. ³ Therefore they received a burning pillar of fire for a guide of the way which they knew not, and thou gavest them a harmless sun of a good entertainment. ⁴ The others indeed were worthy to be deprived of light, and imprisoned in darkness, who kept thy children shut up, by whom the pure light of the law was to be given to the world. ⁵ And whereas they thought to kill the babes of the just, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away a multitude of their children, and destroyedst them all together in a mighty water. ⁶ For that night was known before by our fathers, that assuredly knowing what oaths they had trusted to, they might be of better courage. 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. ¹⁸ And one thrown here, another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death. ¹⁹ For the visions that troubled them foreshewed these things, lest they should perish and not know why they suffered these evils. ²⁰ But the just also were afterwards touched by an assault of death, and there was a disturbance of the multitude in the wilderness: but thy wrath did not long continue. ²¹ For a blameless man made haste to pray for the people, bringing forth the shield of his ministry, prayer, and by incense making supplication, withstood the wrath, and put an end to the calamity, shewing that he was thy servant. ²² And he overcame the disturbance, not by strength of body nor with force of arms, but with a word he subdued him that punished them, alleging the oaths and covenant made with the fathers. ²³ For when they were now fallen down dead by heaps one upon another, he stood between and stayed the assault, and cut off the way to the living. ²⁴ For in the priestly robe which he wore, was the whole world: and in the four rows of the stones the glory of the fathers was graven, and thy majesty was written upon the diadem of his head. ²⁵ And to these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for the proof only of wrath was enough.

KJV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light, whose voice they hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered the same things, they counted them happy. ² But for that they did not hurt them now, of whom they had been wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon for that they had been enemies. ³ Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain them honourably. ⁴ For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world. ⁵ And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water. ⁶ Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer. ⁷ So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous, and destruction of the enemies. ⁸ For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries, by the same thou didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called. ⁹ For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise. ¹⁰ But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that were bewailed. ¹¹ The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and like as the king, so suffered the common person. ¹² So they all together 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 by reason of the enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God. ¹⁴ For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course, ¹⁵ Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction, ¹⁶ And brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth. ¹⁷ Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for. ¹⁸ And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death. ¹⁹ For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted. ²⁰ Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath endured not long. ²¹ For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant. ²² So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers. ²³ For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living. ²⁴ For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon the daidem of his head. ²⁵ Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.

ERV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ But for thy holy ones there was great light; And [the Egyptians,] hearing their voice but seeing not their form, Counted it a happy thing that they too had suffered, ² Yet for that they do not hurt them [now,] though wronged [by them] before, they are thankful; And because they had been at variance [with them,] they made supplication [to them.] ³ Whereas thou didst provide [for thy people] a burning pillar of fire, To be a guide for [their] unknown journey, And withal a kindly sun for [their] proud exile. ⁴ For well did the Egyptians deserve to be deprived of light and imprisoned by darkness, They who had kept in close ward thy sons, Through whom the incorruptible light of the law was to be given to the race of men. ⁵ After they had taken counsel to slay the babes of the holy ones, And when a single child had been cast forth and saved to convict [them of their sin,] Thou tookest away from them their multitude of children, And destroyedst all [their host] together in a mighty flood. ⁶ Of that night were our fathers made aware beforehand, That, having sure knowledge, they might be cheered by the oaths which they had trusted: ⁷ [So] by thy people was expected salvation of the righteous and destruction of the enemies; ⁸ For as thou didst take vengeance on the adversaries, By the same means, calling us unto thyself, thou didst glorify us. ⁹ For holy children of good men offered sacrifice in secret, And with one consent they took upon themselves the covenant of the divine law, That they would partake alike in the same good things and the same perils; The fathers already leading the sacred songs of praise. ¹⁰ But there sounded back in discord the cry of the enemies, And a piteous voice of lamentation for children was borne abroad. ¹¹ And servant along with master punished with a like just doom, And commoner suffering the same as king, ¹² Yea, all [the people] together, under one form of death, Had [with them] corpses without number; For the living were not sufficient even to bury them, Since at a single stroke their nobler offspring was consumed. ¹³ For while they were disbelieving all things by reason of the enchantments, Upon the destruction of the firstborn they confessed the people to be God’s son. ¹⁴ For while peaceful silence enwrapped all things, And night in her own swiftness was in mid course, ¹⁵ Thine all-powerful word leaped from heaven out of [the] royal throne, A stern warrior, into the midst of the doomed land, ¹⁶ Bearing as a sharp sword thine unfeigned commandment; And standing it filled all things with death; And while it touched the heaven it trode upon the earth. ¹⁷ Then forthwith apparitions in dreams terribly troubled them, And fears came upon them unlooked for. ¹⁸ And [each,] one thrown here half dead, another there, Made manifest wherefore he was dying: ¹⁹ For the dreams, perturbing them, did foreshew this, That they might not perish without knowing why they were afflicted. ²⁰ But it befell the righteous also to make trial of death, And a multitude were stricken in the wilderness: Howbeit the wrath endured not for long. ²¹ For a blameless man hasted to be their champion: Bringing the weapon of his own ministry, [Even] prayer and the propitiation of incense, He withstood the indignation, and set an end to the calamity, Shewing that he was thy servant. ²² And he overcame the anger, Not by strength of body, not by efficacy of weapons; But by word did he subdue the minister of punishment, By bringing to remembrance oaths and covenants made with the fathers. ²³ For when the dead were already fallen in heaps one upon another, Standing between he stopped the [advancing] wrath, And cut off the way to the living. ²⁴ For upon [his] long [high-priestly] robe was the whole world, And the glories of the fathers [were] upon the graving of the four rows of precious stones, And thy majesty [was] upon the diadem of his head. ²⁵ To these the destroyer gave place, and these [the people] feared; For it was enough only to make trial of the wrath.

WEB⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ But for your holy ones there was great light. Their enemies, hearing their voice but seeing not their form, counted it a happy thing that they too had suffered, ² yet for that they do not hurt them, though wronged by them before, they are thankful; and because they had been at variance with them, they begged for pardon. ³ Whereas you provided a burning pillar of fire, to be a guide for your people’s unknown journey, and a harmless sun for their glorious exile. ⁴ For the Egyptians well deserved to be deprived of light and imprisoned by darkness, they who had imprisoned your children, through whom the incorruptible light of the law was to be given to the race of men. ⁵ After they had taken counsel to kill the babes of the holy ones, and when a single child had been abandoned and saved to convict them of their sin, you took away from them their multitude of children, and destroyed all their army together in a mighty flood. ⁶ Our fathers were made aware of that night beforehand, that, having sure knowledge, they might be cheered by the oaths which they had trusted. ⁷ Salvation of the righteous and destruction of the enemies was expected by your people. ⁸ For as you took vengeance on the adversaries, by the same means, calling us to yourself, you glorified us. ⁹ For holy children of good men offered sacrifice in secret, and with one consent they took upon themselves the covenant of the divine law, that they would partake alike in the same good things and the same perils, the fathers already leading the sacred songs of praise. ¹⁰ But the discordant cry of the enemies echoed back, and a pitiful voice of lamentation for children was spread abroad. ¹¹ Both servant and master were punished with the same just doom, and the commoner suffering the same as king; ¹² Yes, they all together, under one form of death, had corpses without number. For the living were not sufficient even to bury them, Since at a single stroke, their most cherished offspring was consumed. ¹³ For while they were disbelieving all things by reason of the enchantments, upon the destruction of the firstborn they confessed the people to be God’s son. ¹⁴ For while peaceful silence wrapped all things, and night in her own swiftness was in mid course, ¹⁵ your all-powerful word leaped from heaven out of the royal thrones, a stern warrior, into the midst of the doomed land, ¹⁶ bearing as a sharp sword your authentic commandment, and standing, it filled all things with death, and while it touched the heaven it stood upon the earth. ¹⁷ Then immediately apparitions in dreams terribly troubled them, and unexpected fears came upon them. ¹⁸ And each, one thrown here half dead, another there, made known why he was dying; ¹⁹ for the dreams, disturbing them, forewarned them of this, that they might not perish without knowing why they were afflicted. ²⁰ But experience of death also touched the righteous, and a multitude were destroyed in the wilderness, however the wrath didn’t last long. ²¹ For a blameless man hurried to be their champion, bringing the weapon of his own ministry, prayer and the atoning sacrifice of incense, he withstood the indignation, and set an end to the calamity, showing that he was your servant. ²² And he overcame the anger, not by strength of body, not by force of weapons, but he subdued him who was punishing by word, by bringing to remembrance oaths and covenants made with the fathers. ²³ For when the dead had already fallen in heaps one upon another, standing between he stopped the wrath, and cut off the way to the living. ²⁴ For the whole world was upon his long robe, and the glories of the fathers were upon the engraving of the four rows of precious stones, and your majesty was upon the diadem of his head. ²⁵ The destroyer yielded to these, and they feared; for it was enough only to test the wrath.

LXX2012⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Nevertheless your saints had a very great light, whose voice they hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered the same things, they counted them happy. ² But for that they did not hurt them now, of whom they had been wronged before, they thanked them, and implored them pardon for that they had been enemies. ³ Instead whereof you gave them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain them honorably. ⁴ For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept your sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given to the world. ⁵ And when they had determined to kill the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, you took away the multitude of their children, and destroyed them altogether in a mighty water. ⁶ Of that night were our fathers certified before, that assuredly knowing to what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer. ⁷ So of your people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous, and destruction of the enemies. ⁸ For wherewith you did punish our adversaries, by the same you did glorify us, whom you had called. ⁹ For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise. ¹⁰ But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that were bewailed. ¹¹ The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and like as the king, so suffered the common person. ¹² So they all together 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 by reason of the enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God. ¹⁴ For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course, ¹⁵ Your Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of your royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction, ¹⁶ And brought your unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth. ¹⁷ Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for. ¹⁸ And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, showed the cause of his death. ¹⁹ For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted. ²⁰ Yes, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath endured not long. ²¹ For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was your servant. ²² So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers. ²³ For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living. ²⁴ For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and your Majesty upon the diadem of his head. ²⁵ To these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.