he formeth a dead thing with his wicked
hands. For he is better than they whom he worshippeth, because he indeed
hath lived, though he were mortal, but they never.

15:18. Moreover, they worship also the vilest creatures: but things
without sense, compared to these, are worse than they.

15:19. Yea, neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts. But
they have fled from the praise of God, and from his blessing.

Wisdom Chapter 16

God's different dealings with the Egyptians and with his own people.

16:1. For these things, and by the like things to these, they were
worthily punished, and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts.

16:2. Instead of which punishment, dealiug well with thy people, thou
gavest them their desire of delicious food, of a new taste, preparing
for them quails for their meat:

16:3. To the end, that they indeed desiring food, by means of those
things that were shewn and sent among them, might loath even that which
was necessary to satisfy their desire. But these, after suffering want
for a short time, tasted a new meat.

They indeed desiring food, etc... He means the Egyptians; who were
restrained even from that food which was necessary, by the frogs and the
flies that were sent amongst them, and spoiled all their meats.-Ibid.
But these... Viz., the Israelites.

16:4. For it was requisite that inevitable destruction should come upon
them that exercised tyranny: but to these it should only be shewn how
their enemies were destroyed.

16:5. For when the fierce rage of beasts came upon these, they were
destroyed by the bitings of crooked serpents.

16:6. But thy wrath endured not for ever, but they were troubled for a
short time for their correction, having a sign of salvation, to put them
in remembrance of the commandment of thy law.

Sign of salvation... The brazen serpent, an emblem of Christ our
Saviour.

16:7. For he that turned to it, was not healed by that which he saw, but
by thee, the Saviour of all.

16:8. And in this thou didst shew to our enemies, that thou art he who
deliverest from all evil.

16:9. For the bitings of locusts, and of flies, killed them, and there
was found no remedy for their life: because they were worthy to be
destroyed by such things.

16:10. But not even the teeth of venomous serpents overcame thy
children: for thy mercy came and healed them.

16:11. For they were examined for the remembrance of thy words, and were
quickly healed, lest fal