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. 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. 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. 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. And so, when fierce beasts overcame them in anger, they were exterminated by the bites of perverse snakes.
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. For he who turned to it was not healed by what he saw, but by you, the Savior of all.
8. Yet in this you revealed to our enemies that you are he who delivers from all evil.
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. But not even the teeth of venomous serpents conquered your sons, for your mercy came to them and healed them.
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. And, indeed, neither an herb, nor a poultice, healed them, but your word, O Lord, which heals all.
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. 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. But it is impossible to escape your hand.