Sapientia 16

VULGATA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Propter hæc et per his similia passi sunt digne tormenta, et per multitudinem bestiarum exterminati sunt.	1 Because of this, and by means of things similar to these, they were allowed to endure fitting torments, and they were exterminated by a multitude of beasts.
2 Pro quibus tormentis bene disposuisti populum tuum, quibus dedisti concupiscentiam delectamenti sui novum saporem, escam parans eis ortygometram :	2 Instead of these torments, you administered your people kindly, giving them a desire for a new taste from your delights, and preparing quails for their food,
3 ut illi quidem, concupiscentes escam propter ea quæ illis ostensa et missa sunt, etiam a necessaria concupiscentia averterentur. Hi autem in brevi inopes facti, novam gustaverunt escam.	3 so that, even those desiring food, because of those things which were sent and revealed to them, were now turned away from a necessary desire. Yet these, after a brief time, having become weak, tasted a new food.
4 Oportebat enim illis sine excusatione quidem supervenire interitum exercentibus tyrannidem ; his autem tantum ostendere quemadmodum inimici eorum exterminabantur.	4 For it was necessary, though they are without excuse, for them to unexpectedly come upon the ruin of exercising tyranny, yet this was as if to show them how their enemies were being exterminated.
5 Etenim cum illis supervenit sæva bestiarum ira, morsibus perversorum colubrorum exterminabantur.	5 And so, when fierce beasts overcame them in anger, they were exterminated by the bites of perverse snakes.
6 Sed non in perpetuum ira tua permansit, sed ad correptionem in brevi turbati sunt, signum habentes salutis ad commemorationem mandati legis tuæ.	6 But your anger did not continue forever, though they were troubled for a short time for their correction, they have a sign of salvation as a remembrance of the commandment of your law.
7 Qui enim conversus est, non per hoc quod videbat sanabatur, sed per te, omnium salvatorem.	7 For he who turned to it was not healed by what he saw, but by you, the Savior of all.
8 In hoc autem ostendisti inimicis nostris quia tu es qui liberas ab omni malo.	8 Yet in this you revealed to our enemies that you are he who delivers from all evil.
9 Illos enim locustarum et muscarum occiderunt morsus, et non est inventa sanitas animæ illorum, quia digni erant ab hujuscemodi exterminari.	9 For they were killed by the biting of locusts and flies, and there was found no remedy for their life, because they deserved to be destroyed by such things.
10 Filios autem tuos nec draconum venenatorum vicerunt dentes : misericordia enim tua adveniens sanabat illos.	10 But not even the teeth of venomous serpents conquered your sons, for your mercy came to them and healed them.
11 In memoria enim sermonum tuorum examinabantur, et velociter salvabantur : ne in altam incidentes oblivionem non possent tuo uti adjutorio.	11 For, in remembrance of your words, they were examined and were quickly saved, for forgetfulness is not engraved into your altar so that they would be unable to obtain your help.
12 Etenim neque herba, neque malagma sanavit eos : sed tuus, Domine, sermo, qui sanat omnia.	12 And, indeed, neither an herb, nor a poultice, healed them, but your word, O Lord, which heals all.
13 Tu es enim, Domine, qui vitæ et mortis habes potestatem, et deducis ad portas mortis, et reducis.	13 For it is you, O Lord, who holds the power of life and death; you both lead to the threshold of death and you restore.
14 Homo autem occidit quidem per malitiam ; et cum exierit spiritus, non revertetur, nec revocabit animam quæ recepta est.	14 Yet man, indeed, kills his own soul through malice, and when his spirit goes forth, it will not be returned, nor will he call back his soul when it has been received.
15 Sed tuam manum effugere impossibile est.	15 But it is impossible to escape your hand.
16 Negantes enim te nosse impii, per fortitudinem brachii tui flagellati sunt : novis aquis, et grandinibus, et pluviis persecutionem passi, et per ignem consumpti.	16 For the impious, having refused to know you, have been scourged by the strength of your arm, enduring persecution by unusual waters, and by hailstorms, and by rain storms, and being consumed by fire.
17 Quod enim mirabile erat, in aqua, quæ omnia extinguit, plus ignis valebat : vindex est enim orbis justorum.	17 For there was something extraordinary in water, which extinguishes all things; it has prevailed more than fire; for the world is the defender of the just.
18 Quodam enim tempore mansuetabatur ignis, ne comburerentur quæ ad impios missa erant animalia, sed ut ipsi videntes scirent quoniam Dei judicio patiuntur persecutionem.	18 Indeed, at a certain time, the fire was subdued, so as not to burn away the animals, which were sent against the impious; and so that, in seeing this, they might know that they are suffering persecution by the judgment of God.
19 Et quodam tempore in aqua supra virtutem ignis exardescebat undique, ut iniquæ terræ nationem exterminaret.	19 And, at another time, fire burned, beyond its own power, in the midst of water, and it flared up from all around, so as to destroy the nations of an unjust land.
20 Pro quibus angelorum esca nutrivisti populum tuum, et paratum panem de cælo præstitisti illis sine labore, omne delectamentum in se habentem, et omnis saporis suavitatem.	20 Instead of these things, you nourished your people with the food of angels, and, having prepared bread from heaven, you served them without labor that which holds within itself every delight and the sweetness of every flavor.
21 Substantia enim tua dulcedinem tuam, quam in filios habes, ostendebat ; et deserviens uniuscujusque voluntati, ad quod quisque volebat convertebatur.	21 For your nature showed your sweetness, which you hold within your sons, and serving the will of each one, it was converted to what each one preferred.
22 Nix autem et glacies sustinebant vim ignis, et non tabescebant : ut scirent quoniam fructus inimicorum exterminabat ignis ardens in grandine et pluvia coruscans ;	22 But snow and ice held back the strength of fire, and did not melt, so that they might know that fire, burning in the hail and flashing in the rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies.
23 hic autem iterum ut nutrirentur justi, etiam suæ virtutis oblitus est.	23 Yet it was also the case, so that the just might be nourished, that fire had even been deprived of its own power.
24 Creatura enim tibi factori deserviens, exardescit in tormentum adversus injustos, et lenior fit ad benefaciendum pro his qui in te confidunt.	24 For the creature serving you, the Creator, grows red hot in the midst of the conflict against the unjust, and yet it subsides for the benefit of those who trust in you.
25 Propter hoc et tunc in omnia transfigurata, omnium nutrici gratiæ tuæ deserviebat, ad voluntatem eorum qui a te desiderabant :	25 Because of this, and at that time, having been transfigured in all things, your grace was diligently serving as the nursemaid of all things, according to the will of those who long for you,
26 ut scirent filii tui quos dilexisti, Domine, quoniam non nativitatis fructus pascunt homines, sed sermo tuus hos qui in te crediderint conservat.	26 so that your sons, whom you loved, O Lord, might know that it is not the fruits of nature which feed men, but your word, which preserves those who believe in you.
27 Quod enim ab igne non poterat exterminari, statim ab exiguo radio solis calefactum tabescebat :	27 For that which could not be destroyed by fire, was immediately melted when warmed by a few rays of the sun,
28 ut notum omnibus esset quoniam oportet prævenire solem ad benedictionem tuam, et ad ortum lucis te adorare.	28 so that it might be clear to all that it is right to come before the sun to bless you, and to adore you at the dawning of the light.
29 Ingrati enim spes tamquam hibernalis glacies tabescet, et disperiet tamquam aqua supervacua.	29 For the hope of the ungrateful will melt away like the winter’s ice and will disperse like overflowing water.