27 Но Ты все щадишь, потому что все Твое, душелюбивый Господи.

Глава 12

1 Нетленный Твой дух пребывает во всем.

2 Посему заблуждающихся Ты мало-помалу обличаешь и, напоминая им, в чем они согрешают, вразумляешь, чтобы они, отступив от зла, уверовали в Тебя, Господи.

3 Так, возгнушавшись древними обитателями святой земли Твоей,

4 совершавшими ненавистные дела волхвований и нечестивые жертвоприношения,

5 и безжалостными убийцами детей, и на жертвенных пирах пожиравшими внутренности человеческой плоти и крови в тайных собраниях,

6 And the parents who slew helpless souls, Thou wouldst destroy them by the hands of our fathers,

7 that the earth, which is most precious with Thee, may receive a worthy population of the children of God.

8 But thou hast spared them also, as men, having sent hornets to be the forerunners of thy army, that they might destroy them little by little.

9 Though it was not impossible for Thee by war to subdue the wicked to the righteous, or to destroy them with fearful beasts, or with a terrible word at once;

10 but thou didst chastise them little by little, and gave place to repentance, knowing nevertheless that their seed was worthless, and their wickedness was innate, and their mind would never change.

11 For their seed was cursed from the beginning, and it was not for fear of any one that Thou didst allow their sins to go unpunished.

12 For who will say, 'What have you done?' – or who will resist Thy judgment? and who shall accuse thee of the destruction of the nations which thou hast made? Or what defender will come to Thee with intercession for unrighteous people?

13 For there is no God besides you, who has care for all, to prove to you that you have judged unjustly.

14 Neither king nor ruler is able to come to thee before thy eyes for those whom thou hast destroyed.

15 Being righteous, you govern all things righteously, considering it not in your power to condemn him who does not deserve punishment.

16 For thy power is the beginning of righteousness, and the very fact that thou hast dominion over all disposes thee to spare all.

17 Thou dost shew thy power unto them that believe not thy omnipotence, and in them that acknowledge not thee thou dost rebuke insolence;

18 but having power, thou judgest leniently, and governest us with great mercy, for thy power is always in thy will.

19 But by such works thou hast taught thy people that the righteous ought to love mankind, and hast inspired thy sons with good hope, that thou givest time to repent of sins.