14. For him who long before was cast forth and exposed they left off mocking: In the last issue of what came to pass they marveled, Having thirsted in another manner than the righteous.
15. But in requital of the senseless imaginings of their unrighteousness, Wherein they were led astray to worship irrational reptiles and wretched vermin, You did send upon them a multitude of irrational creatures for vengeance;
16. That they might learn, that by what things a man sins, by these he is punished.
17. For your all-powerful hand, That created the world out of formless matter, Lacked not means to send upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,
18. Or new-created wild beasts, full of rage, of unknown kind, Either breathing out a blast of fiery breath, Or blowing forth from their nostrils noisome smoke, Or flashing dreadful sparkles from their eyes;
19. Which had power not only to consume them by their violence, But to destroy them even by the terror of their sight.