✠ The Douay-Rheims Bible
✠ Wisdom 11
Chapters
WISD 11:1 She prospered their works in the hands of the holy prophet.
WISD 11:2 They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited, and in desert places they pitched their tents.
WISD 11:3 They stood against their enemies, and revenged themselves of their adversaries.
WISD 11:4 They were thirsty, and they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the high rock, and a refreshment of their thirst out of the hard stone.
WISD 11:5 For by what things their enemies were punished, when their drink failed them, while the children of Israel abounded therewith and rejoiced:
WISD 11:6 By the same things they in their need were benefited.
WISD 11:7 For instead of a fountain of an ever running river, thou gavest human blood to the unjust.
WISD 11:8 And whilst they were diminished for a manifest reproof of their murdering the infants, thou gavest to thine abundant water unlooked for:
WISD 11:9 Shewing by the thirst that was then, how thou didst exalt thine, and didst kill their adversaries.
WISD 11:10 For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they knew how the wicked were judged with wrath and tormented.
WISD 11:11 For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn.
WISD 11:12 For whether absent or present, they were tormented alike.
WISD 11:13 For a double affliction came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past.
WISD 11:14 For when they heard that by their punishments the others were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the end of what was come to pass.
WISD 11:15 For whom they scorned before, when he was thrown out at the time of his being wickedly exposed to perish, him they admired in the end, when they saw the event: their thirsting being unlike to that of the just.
WISD 11:16 But for the foolish devices of their iniquity, because some being deceived worshipped dumb serpents and worthless beasts, thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb beasts for vengeance.
WISD 11:17 That they might know that by what things a man sinneth, by the same also he is tormented.
WISD 11:18 For thy almighty hand, which made the world of matter without form, was not unable to send upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,
WISD 11:19 Or unknown beasts of a new kind, full of rage: either breathing out a fiery vapour, or sending forth a stinking smoke, or shooting horrible sparks out of their eyes:
WISD 11:20 Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.
WISD 11:21 Yea and without these, they might have been slain with one blast, persecuted by their own deeds, and scattered by the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure, and number, and weight.
WISD 11:22 For great power always belonged to thee alone: and who shall resist the strength of thy arm?
WISD 11:23 For the whole world before thee is as the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew, that falleth down upon the earth:
WISD 11:24 But thou hast mercy upon all, because thou canst do all things, and overlookest the sins of men for the sake of repentance.
WISD 11:25 For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made: for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it.
WISD 11:26 And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee.