Sirach 39:23–30

Even so His wrath dispossesseth nations,

And He turneth a watered land into salt.

His pathsare plain for the blameless;

Even so they offer obstaclesto the presumptuous.

Good things for the good hath He allotted from the beginning;

Even so to the evil good and evil.

⁽The chief of all the necessaries⁽ of life for man

Are water and fire, and iron and salt,

The fat of wheat, milk and honey,

The blood of the grape, oil and clothing.

All these prove good to the good—

Even so for the evil they are turned to evil.

There are ⁽winds⁽ which are formed ⁽for punishment⁽,

⁽And in their fury⁽remove moun⁽tains⁽.

In the season of destruction they pour out their force,

And appease the spirit of their creator.

Fire and hail, ^[famine^[ and pestilence—

These also are formed for judgement.

Beasts of prey, scorpions and vipers,

And the avenging sword to exterminate the wicked—

All these are created for their uses,

And are in the treasure-house ⁽ready⁽ to be requisitioned in due time: