19 But you taught your people by such works as these,

how the righteous must be kind.

You made your sons to have good hope,

because you give repentance when men have sinned.

20 Because if on those who were enemies of your servants[fn] and deserving of death,

you took vengeance with so great deliberation and indulgence,

giving them times and opportunities when they might escape from their wickedness,

21 with how great care you judged your sons,

to whose fathers you gave oaths and covenants of good promises!

22 Therefore while you chasten us, you scourge our enemies ten thousand times more,

to the intent that we may ponder your goodness when we judge,

and when we are judged may look for mercy.

23 Therefore also the unrighteous that lived in a life of folly,

you tormented through their own abominations.

24 Because truly they went astray very far in the ways of error,

Taking as gods those animals[fn] which even amongst their enemies were held in dishonour,

deceived like foolish babes.

25 Therefore, as to unreasoning children, you sent your judgement to mock them.

26 But those who would not be admonished by mild correction

will experience the deserved judgement of God.

27 Because through the sufferings they were indignant of,

being punished in these creatures which they supposed to be gods,

they saw and recognised as the true God him whom they previously refused to know.

Therefore also the result of extreme condemnation came upon them.