Then Thou didst guide their paths by the hand of a holy prophet. For when they heard that what had been their punishment, was become for their adversaries a good, they perceived the hand of the Lord. For he whom they had aforetime cast out and scorned, and despised him, they did magnify in the latter end, if the thirst of the righteous was contrary to their thirst.

For they journeyed in a desert land, where no man dwelt, and pitched their tents in a desolate land.

And they withstood their adversaries, and defended themselves against their enemies.

And in their thirst they called upon Thee, and water was given them out of the hard rock, and healing for their thirst from the flint stone.

For that which was a torment to their enemies, when they lacked to drink, made the children of Israel to rejoice with abundance.

The selfsame also that they had lacked, was made plentiful to them.

For by what things their enemies were punished, by the same they did receive benefits; for Thou didst make to boil for them, instead of a perennial river, bloody corrupted gore.

In recompence for the slaying of the infants; and to these Thou gavest abundance of water, when they despaired thereof.

Shewing them by this thirst, how Thou didst punish their adversaries.

For as they were tried, and that with mercy, they understood how the wicked were tormented, being condemned with wrath.

For Thou didst try these, as a father admonishing his children; but the other, as a stern king condemning, didst Thou try.

And whether they were absent or present, they were vexed alike.

For a double grief and groaning took hold of them, at the remembrance of the former plagues.

Whereas then they lived riotously, and made their foolish devices, and worshipped vile creeping things and dumb beasts, Thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb beasts for vengeance.

That they might know that wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same also shall he be punished.

For Thy almighty hand, that made the world of matter without form, was not unprovided for to send upon them a multitude of bears or fierce lions.

Or unknown wild beasts, full of rage, newly created, breathing out fire, and sending forth dark smoke, or flashing dreadful sparks from their eyes.

Which not only might hurt them with their strokes, but also with their very sight put them beside themselves and perish them for fear.

Yea, and without these might they have been slain with one blast, being pursued by persecution, and scattered by the breath of Thy power: but Thou hast ordered all things in measure and number and weight.

For Thou art always of great strength; and who may withstand the power of Thine arm?

For the whole world before Thee is as a little grain of the balance, or as a drop of dew that falleth down upon the earth in the morning.

But Thou hast mercy on all men, for Thou art able to do all things, and winkest at the sins of men, to the end they may repent.

For Thou lovest all things that are, and abhorrest nothing which Thou hast made: for hadst Thou hated any thing, Thou wouldest not have made it.

And how could anything endure, if it were not Thy will? or be preserved, if not called by Thee?

But Thou sparest all: for they are Thine, O Lord, Thou lover of souls.