Punishment of the Wicked

(Ex 7–11)

15 In return for their foolish and wicked thoughts,

which led them astray to worship irrational serpents and worthless animals,

you sent upon them a multitude of irrational creatures to punish them,

16 so that they might learn that one is punished by the very things by which one sins.

17 For your all-powerful hand,

which created the world out of formless matter,

did not lack the means to send upon them a multitude of bears, or bold lions,

18 or newly-created unknown beasts full of rage,

or such as breathe out fiery breath,

or belch forth a thick pall of smoke,

or flash terrible sparks from their eyes;

19 not only could the harm they did destroy people,e

but the mere sight of them could kill by fright.

20 Even apart from these, peoplef could fall at a single breath

when pursued by justice

and scattered by the breath of your power.

But you have arranged all things by measure and number and weight.