The Wisdom of Solomon
Chapter 16
1. They face their consequences
tormented by many creatures.
2. Outside of this process
You deal graciously
with Your followers
facilitating exotic foods for them
those that even quails may discover.
3. So when they desire food
they may seek out those beasts
which they caution against
but when they desire this
and suffer scarcity sometimes
they may partake of exotic foods.
4. For this may be necessary
for tyranny is unavoidably consequential
but they would only serve to show
that their adversaries have suffered.
5. Because the terror of beasts
were upon them
they perished from the stings
of vicious snakes
a wrath of temporary effect.
6. Yet they were anxious for a time
that they might be admonished
and given the sign of redemption
in order for them to remember
the instructions given by You.
7. For those who turned towards it
were not saved by what was seen
but rather by You
because You are everyone’s Savior.
8. And by doing this
Your adversaries confess
that it is You
who delivers us from wickedness.
9. Even after they were bit by insects
they did not find a cure for their life
thus they had to face those consequences.
10. But Your followers overcame
not by the bite of snakes
but Your mercy were they healed
which never left them.
11. They were encouraged
to remember Your instructions
and were immediately restored
and prevented from forgetfulness
allowing them to understand Your goodness.
12. For it was neither medicinal herb
nor soothing balm
that restored them to health
but rather Your word O Lord
which heals all things.
13. You have authority
over life and death.
You can lead one
to the gates of hell
and lift them up again.
13. Someone who kills using hostility
like a spirit that goes forth
will not return
just as the soul received
will come back again.
15. Still it is not possible
to escape from Your hand.
16. Because the wicked
who decided to ignore You
were decimated
by Your power
with hard rains, hail and showers
did they suffer
and they couldn’t avoid
the fire they consumed.
17. What is truly astounding
is the fire overpowered the water
which will quench everything
and the world fights for the righteous.
18. For sometimes the flame burnt out
so it wouldn’t burn those warriors
sent against the atheists
but themselves will understand
that they faced the consequences
by the judgment of God.
19. Then another time it did burn
even within the water
above the power of fire
so that it destroyed
the fruits of an unjust land.
20 Instead You fed Your people
with manna from heaven
prepared with love
able to fulfill every one
delightful and agreeable to all tastes.
21. For it is Your sustenance
that provides sweetness to Your children
by serving to satisfy their appetite
and designed to please every person.
22. Yet snow and ice endures the fire
and doesn’t melt
so they might know
that fire burns within the hail
and sparks in the rain
to destroy the fruits of the adversaries.
23. But even this did not negate
His power to provide
nourishment to the righteous.
24. For those who serve You
the Creator’s authority over the wicked
leads to their consequences
while yielding for the benefit
of those who put their trust in You.
25. Thus even as they changed
in so many ways
becoming obedient to Your grace
which nourishes all things
according to their desires
in their time of need.
26. So Lord Your children
whom You love
will know that fruits
do not nourish the soul
but it is Your word
that preserves those
who put their trust in You.
27. For what isn’t destroyed by fire
after warming from the sun’s rays
will soon melt away.
28. In order to let this be known
we give You thanks before the sun
and pray to you till daybreak.
29. For the wishes of the unappreciated
melt away with the winter's first frost
and run off like unneeded water.
