fear of monsters, sometimes
fainted away, their soul failing them: for a sudden and unlooked for
fear was come upon them.

17:15. Moreover, if any of them had fallen down, he was kept shut up in
prison without irons.

17:16. For if any one were a husbandman, or a shepherd, or a labourer in
the field, and was suddenly overtaken, he endured a necessity from which
he could not fly.

17:17. For they were all bound together with one chain of darkness.
Whether it were a whistling wind, or the melodious voice of birds, among
the spreading branches of trees, or a fall of water running down with
violence,

17:18. Or the mighty noise of stones tumbling down, or the running that
could not be seen of beasts playing together, or the roaring voice of
wild beasts, or a rebounding echo from the highest mountains: these
things made them to swoon for fear.

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.