5 After they had taken counsel to kill the babes of the holy ones,

and when a single child had been abandoned and saved to convict them of their sin,

you took away from them their multitude of children,

and destroyed all their army together in a mighty flood.

6 Our fathers were made aware of that night beforehand,

that, having sure knowledge, they might be cheered by the oaths which they had trusted.

7 Salvation of the righteous and destruction of the enemies was expected by your people.

8 Because as you took vengeance on the adversaries,

by the same means, calling us to yourself, you glorified us.

9 Because holy children of good men offered sacrifice in secret,

and with one consent they agreed to the covenant of the divine law,

that they would partake alike in the same good things and the same perils,

the fathers already leading the sacred songs of praise.

10 But the discordant cry of the enemies echoed back,

and a pitiful voice of lamentation for children was spread abroad.

11 Both servant and master were punished with the same just doom,

and the commoner suffering the same as king;

12 Yes, they all together, under one form of death,

had corpses without number.

Because the living were not sufficient even to bury them,

Since at a single stroke, their most cherished offspring was consumed.

13 Because while they were disbelieving all things by reason of the enchantments,

upon the destruction of the firstborn they confessed the people to be God’s children.

14 Because while peaceful silence wrapped all things,

and night in her own swiftness was half spent,

15 your all-powerful word leapt from heaven, from the royal throne,

a stern warrior, into the midst of the doomed land,

16 bearing as a sharp sword your authentic commandment,

and standing, it filled all things with death,

and while it touched the heaven it stood upon the earth.

17 Then immediately apparitions in dreams terribly troubled them,

and unexpected fears came upon them.

18 And each, one thrown here half dead, another there,

made known why he was dying;

19 for the dreams, disturbing them, forewarned them of this,

that they might not perish without knowing why they were afflicted.