Wisdom 16:10–18

¹⁰But your children weren’t overcome by the very fangs of venomous dragons, for your mercy passed by where they were and healed them.↗

¹¹For 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 respond to your kindness.↗

¹²For truly it was neither herb nor poultice that cured them, but your word, O Lord, which heals all people.↗

¹³For you have authority over life and death, and you lead down to the gates of Hades, and lead up again.↗

¹⁴But though a man kills by his wickedness, he can’t retrieve the spirit that has departed or release the imprisoned soul.↗

¹⁵But it is not possible to escape your hand;↗

¹⁶for ungodly men, refusing to know you, were scourged in the strength of your arm, pursued with strange rains and hails and relentless storms, and utterly consumed with fire.↗

¹⁷For, what was most marvelous, in the water which quenches all things, the fire burned hotter; for the world fights for the righteous.↗

¹⁸For at one time the flame was restrained, that it might not burn up the creatures sent against the ungodly, but that these themselves as they looked might see that they were chased by the judgment of God.↗