17:19. For the whole world was enlightened, with a clear light, and none were hindered in their labours. 17:20. But over them only was spread a heavy night, an image of that darkness which was to come upon them. But they were to themselves more grievous than the darkness. Wisdom Chapter 18 The slaughter of the firstborn in Egypt: the efficacy of Aaron's intercession, in the sedition on occasion of Core. 18:1. But thy saints had a very great light, and they heard their voice indeed, but did not see their shape. And because they also did not suffer the same things, they glorified thee: 18:2. And they that before had been wronged, gave thanks, because they were not hurt now: and asked this gift, that there might be a difference. 18:3. Therefore they received a burning pillar of fire for a guide of the way which they knew not, and thou gavest them a harmless sun of a good entertainment. A harmless sun. . .A light that should not hurt or molest them; but that should be an agreeable guest to them. 18:4. The others indeed were worthy to be deprived of light, and imprisoned in darkness, who kept thy children shut up, by whom the pure light of the law was to be given to the world. 18:5. And whereas they thought to kill the babes of the just: one child being cast forth, and saved to reprove them, thou tookest away a multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water. One child. . .Viz., Moses. 18:6. For that night was known before by our fathers, that assuredly knowing what oaths they had trusted to, they might be of better courage. 18:7. So thy people received the salvation of the just, and destruction of the unjust. 18:8. For as thou didst punish the adversaries so thou didst also encourage and glorify us. 18:9. For the just children of good men were offering sacrifice secretly, and they unanimously ordered a law of justice: that the just should receive both good and evil alike, singing now the praises of the fathers. Of good men. . .Viz., of the patriarchs. Their children, the Israelites, offered in private the sacrifice of the paschal lamb; and were regulating what they were to do in their journey, when that last and most dreadful plague was coming upon their enemies. 18:10. But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable mourning was heard for the children that were bewailed. 18:11. And the servant suffered the same punishment as the master, and a common man suffered in like manner as the king. 18:12. So all alike had innumerable dead, with one kind of death. Neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed. The noblest offspring. . .That is, the firstborn. 18:13. For whereas they would not believe any thing before by reason of the enchantments, then first upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged the people to be of God.