14. It was then, while everything was wrapped in a gentle silence, and half a night had already passed,
15. that your all-powerful word had leaped down from heaven, the royal throne. Like a fierce warrior, he had entered the land that was marked for destruction.
16. He carried with him your unchanging declaration like a sharp sword. He stood up and filled everything with death; he reached the sky while still standing on the ground.
17. Immediately the visions of their nightmares shook them. Unexpected fears assaulted them.
18. One here, then another there, fell to the ground half-dead. They shouted out to tell those around them why they were dying.
19. The dreams that had so bothered them had foretold that this was to happen. And so they perished knowing full well why they were suffering.
20. Those who did what is right were also touched by a test of death when many fell in the desert. But that wrath didn’t last long,
21. because a man in whom no blame could be found was already running to join the fight. He took up prayer and the reconciling incense as his weapons. He stood strong against the fury. In doing so, he limited the damage that was done. He showed that he was your servant.