The Israelites Receive Manna

(Ex 16:1–21)

20 Instead of these things you gave your people food of angels,

and without their toil you supplied them from heaven with bread ready to eat,

providing every pleasure and suited to every taste.

21 For your sustenance manifested your sweetness toward your children;

and the bread, ministeringf to the desire of the one who took it,

was changed to suit everyone’s liking.

22 Snow and ice withstood fire without melting,

so that they might know that the crops of their enemies

were being destroyed by the fire that blazed in the hail

and flashed in the showers of rain;

23 whereas the fire,g in order that the righteous might be fed,

even forgot its native power.

24 For creation, serving you who made it,

exerts itself to punish the unrighteous,

and in kindness relaxes on behalf of those who trust in you.

25 Therefore at that time also, changed into all forms,

it served your all-nourishing bounty,

according to the desire of those who had need,h

26 so that your children, whom you loved, O Lord, might learn

that it is not the production of crops that feeds humankind

but that your word sustains those who trust in you.

27 For what was not destroyed by fire

was melted when simply warmed by a fleeting ray of the sun,

28 to make it known that one must rise before the sun to give you thanks,

and must pray to you at the dawning of the light;

29 for the hope of an ungrateful person will melt like wintry frost,

and flow away like waste water.