Wis 18:1 

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. 

Wis 18:2 

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. 

Wis 18:3 

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. 

Wis 18:4 

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. 

Wis 18:5 

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. 

Wis 18:6 

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. 

Wis 18:7 

So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the 

righteous, and destruction of the enemies. 

Wis 18:8 

For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries, by the same 

thou didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called. 

Wis 18:9 

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. 

Wis 18:10 

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. 

Wis 18:11 

The master and the servant were punished after one manner; 

and like as the king, so suffered the common person. 

Wis 18:12 

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. 

Wis 18:13 

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. 

Wis 18:14 

For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night 

was in the midst of her swift course, 

Wis 18:15 

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, 

Wis 18:16 

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. 

Wis 18:17 

Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, 

and terrors came upon them unlooked for. 

Wis 18:18 

And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the 

cause of his death. 

Wis 18:19 

For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest 

they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted. 

Wis 18:20 

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. 

Wis 18:21 

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. 

Wis 18:22 

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. 

Wis 18:23 

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. 

Wis 18:24 

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. 

Wis 18:25 

Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: 

for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.