16:15. But it is impossible to escape thy hand: 16:16. For the wicked that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thy arm, being persecuted by strange waters, and hail, and rain, and consumed by fire. 16:17. And which was wonderful, in water, which extinguisheth all things, the fire had more force: for the world fighteth for the just. The fire had more force... Viz., when the fire and hail mingled together laid waste the land of Egypt. Ex. 9. 16:18. For at one time the fire was mitigated, that the beasts which were sent against the wicked might not be burnt, but that they might see, and perceive that they were persecuted by the judgment of God. 16:19. And at another time the fire, above its own power, burnt in the midst of water, to destroy the fruits of a wicked land. 16:20. Instead of which things, thou didst feed thy people with the food of angels, and gavest them bread from heaven, prepared without labour; having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste. 16:21. For thy sustenance shewed thy sweetness to thy children, and serving every man's will, it was turned to what every man liked. 16:22. But snow and ice endured the force of fire, and melted not: that they might know that the fire, burning in the hail, and flashing in the rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies. 16:23. But this same again, that the just might be nourished, did even forget its own strength. 16:24. For the creature serving thee, the Creator, is made fierce against the unjust for their punishment: and abateth its strength for the benefit of them that trust in thee. 16:25. Therefore even then it was transformed into all things, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all, according to the will of them that desired it of thee: 16:26. That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovedst, might know that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth men, but thy word preserveth them that believe in thee. 16:27. For that which could not be destroyed by fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, presently melted away: 16:28. That it might be known to all, that we ought to prevent the sun to bless thee, and adore thee at the dawning of the light. 16:29. For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's ice, and shall run off as unprofitable water. Wisdom Chapter 17 The Egyptian darkness. 17:1. For thy judgments, O Lord, are great, and thy words cannot be expressed: therefore undisciplined souls have erred. 17:2. For while the wicked thought to be able to have dominion over the holy nation, they themselves being fettered with the bonds of darkness, and a long night, shut up in their houses, lay there exiled from the eternal providence. 17:3. And while they thought to lie hid in their obscure sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfullness, being horribly afraid, and troubled with exceeding great astonishment.