Wisdom of Solomon 18:1-4

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

18 But for your holy ones there was very great light.
Their enemies^[a] heard their voices but did not see their forms
and counted them happy for not having suffered^(A)
2 and were thankful that your holy ones,^[b] though previously wronged, were doing them no injury,
and they begged their pardon for having been at variance with them.^[c](B)
3 Therefore you provided a flaming pillar of fire
as a guide for your people’s^[d] unknown journey
and a harmless sun for their glorious wandering.^(C)
4 For their enemies^[e] deserved to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness,
those who had kept your children imprisoned,
through whom the imperishable light of the law was to be given to the world.^(D)