Liber Sapientiae, 19

1. Impiis autem usque in novissimum sine misericor dia ira supervenit; praesciebat enim et futura illorum,

1. But the ungodly were assailed to the end by pitiless anger, for God knew in advance even their future actions,

2. quoniam, cum ipsi permisissent, ut se educerent, et cum magna sollicitudine praemisissent illos, consequebantur illos paenitentia acti.

2. that, though they themselves had permitted thy people to depart and hastily sent them forth, they would change their minds and pursue them.

3. Adhuc enim inter manus habentes luctus et deplorantes ad monumenta mortuorum, aliam sibi assumpserunt cogitationem inscientiae et, quos rogantes proiecerant, hos tamquam fugitivos persequebantur.

3. For while they were still busy at mourning, and were lamenting at the graves of their dead, they reached another foolish decision, and pursued as fugitives those whom they had begged and compelled to depart.

4. Trahebat enim illos ad hunc finem digna necessitas; et horum, quae acciderant, oblivionem immisit, ut eam, quae deerat tormentis, suppleret punitionem,

4. For the fate they deserved drew them on to this end, and made them forget what had happened, in order that they might fill up the punishment which their torments still lacked,

5. et populus quidem tuus mirabile iter tentaret, illi autem novam mortem invenirent.

5. and that thy people might experience an incredible journey, but they themselves might meet a strange death.

6. Omnis enim creatura in suo genere iterum ab initio refigurabatur, deserviens tuis praeceptis, ut pueri tui custodirentur illaesi.

6. For the whole creation in its nature was fashioned anew, complying with thy commands, that thy children might be kept unharmed.

7. Nam nubes castra eorum obumbrans, et ex aqua, quae ante erat, emersio terrae aridae apparuit: e mari Rubro via sine impedimento, et campus germinans de fluctu violento,

7. The cloud was seen overshadowing the camp, and dry land emerging where water had stood before, an unhindered way out of the Red Sea, and a grassy plain out of the raging waves,

8. per quem cum tota natione transierunt, qui tegebantur tua manu, videntes tua mirabilia monstra.

8. where those protected by thy hand passed through as one nation, after gazing on marvelous wonders.

9. Tamquam enim equi depaverunt escam et tamquam agni exsultaverunt, magnificantes te, Domine, qui liberasti illos.

9. For they ranged like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who didst deliver them.

10. Memores enim erant adhuc eorum, quae in incolatu illorum facta fuerant, quemadmodum pro natione animalium eduxit terra muscas, et pro piscibus eructavit fluvius multitudinem ranarum.

10. For they still recalled the events of their sojourn, how instead of producing animals the earth brought forth gnats, and instead of fish the river spewed out vast numbers of frogs.

11. Novissime autem viderunt novam creaturam avium, cum, adducti concupiscentia, postulaverunt escas epulationis:

11. Afterward they saw also a new kind of birds, when desire led them to ask for luxurious food;

12. in consolationem enim desiderii ascendit illis de mari ortygometra.

12. for, to give them relief, quails came up from the sea.

13. Et vexationes peccatoribus supervenerunt, non sine illis, quae ante facta erant, argumentis per vim fulminum: iuste enim patiebantur secundum suas nequitias; etenim detestabiliorem inhospitalitatem instituerunt.

13. The punishments did not come upon the sinners without prior signs in the violence of thunder, for they justly suffered because of their wicked acts; for they practiced a more bitter hatred of strangers.

14. Alii quidem ignotos non recipiebant advenas, isti autem beneficos hospites in servitutem redigebant.

14. Others had refused to receive strangers when they came to them, but these made slaves of guests who were their benefactors.

15. Et non solum haec, sed et alius quidam respectus erit illorum, quoniam inviti recipiebant extraneos;

15. And not only so, but punishment of some sort will come upon the former for their hostile reception of the aliens;

16. isti autem, qui cum laetitia receperunt hos, qui eisdem usi erant iustitiis, saevissimis afflixerunt doloribus.

16. but the latter, after receiving them with festal celebrations, afflicted with terrible sufferings those who had already shared the same rights.

17. Percussi sunt autem caecitate sicut illi in foribus iusti, cum, vastis cooperti tenebris, unusquisque transitum ostii sui quaerebat.

17. They were stricken also with loss of sight -- just as were those at the door of the righteous man -- when, surrounded by yawning darkness, each tried to find the way through his own door.

18. Inter se enim elementa convertuntur, sicut in psalterio voces numeri nomen immutant, semper tamen suum sonum custodiunt; quod quidem ex ipso visu eorum, quae facta sunt, certo aestimari potest.

18. For the elements changed places with one another, as on a harp the notes vary the nature of the rhythm, while each note remains the same. This may be clearly inferred from the sight of what took place.

19. Agrestia enim in aquatica convertebantur, et, quaecumque erant natantia, in terram transibant.

19. For land animals were transformed into water creatures, and creatures that swim moved over to the land.

20. Ignis in aqua valebat supra suam virtutem, et aqua exstinguentis naturae obliviscebatur.

20. Fire even in water retained its normal power, and water forgot its fire-quenching nature.

21. Flammae e contrario corruptibilium animalium non vexaverunt carnes inambulantium, nec dissolvebant illud, quod facile dissolvebatur, glaciei simile genus immortalis escae.

21. Flames, on the contrary, failed to consume the flesh of perishable creatures that walked among them, nor did they melt the crystalline, easily melted kind of heavenly food.

22. In omnibus enim magnificasti populum tuum, Domine, et honorasti et non despexisti, in omni tempore et in omni loco assistens eis.

22. For in everything, O Lord, thou hast exalted and glorified thy people; and thou hast not neglected to help them at all times and in all places.