1. For this cause were these men worthily punished through creatures like those which they worship, And tormented through a multitude of vermin.
2. Instead of which punishment, you, bestowing benefits on your people, Preparedst quails for food, Food of rare taste, to satisfy the desire of their appetite;
3. To the end that your enemies, desiring food, Might for the hideousness of the creatures sent among them Loathe even the necessary appetite; But these, your people, having for a short space suffered lack, Might even partake of food of rare taste.
4. For it was needful that upon those should come inexorable lack in their tyrannous dealing, But that to these it should only be showed how their enemies were tormented.
5. For even when terrible raging of wild beasts came upon your people, And they were perishing by the bites of crooked serpents, Your wrath continued not to the uttermost;
6. But for admonition were they troubled for a short space, Having a token of salvation, To put them in remembrance of the commandment of your law:
7. For he that turned toward it was not saved because of that which was seen, But because of you, the Saviour of all.
8. Yes, and in this did you persuade our enemies, That you are he that delivers out of every evil.
9. For them verily the bites of locusts and flies did kill, And there was not found a healing for their life, Because they were worthy to be punished by such as these;
10. But your sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame, For your mercy passed by where they were, and healed them.
11. For they were bitten, to put them in remembrance of your oracles; And were quickly saved, lest, falling into deep forgetfulness, They should become unable to be roused by your beneficence:
12. For of a truth it was neither herb nor mollifying plaister that cured them, But your word, O Lord, which heals all things;