16 Though man made them, and the borrowing spirit formed them, yet no man can form a god like himself.

17 Being mortal, he maketh dead things with wicked hands, therefore he is more excellent than his gods, for he lived, and they never.

18 Moreover, they revere the most abominable animals, which in their senselessness are comparatively worse than all.

19 They are even ugly in appearance, like other animals, so that they can draw to themselves, but they lack both God's approval and His blessing.

Chapter 16

1 Wherefore they were worthily punished by such beasts, and were torn to pieces by a multitude of monsters.

2 Instead of this punishment thou hast done good to thy people: to satisfy their whim, thou hast prepared for them for their nourishment an extraordinary food, quails,

3 that those, tormented by hunger, because of the abominable appearance of the reptiles sent, should refuse even the necessary urge for food, and these, having suffered a short shortage, should taste of extraordinary food.

4 For those oppressors were to suffer an inevitable defect, and by this only it was necessary to show how their enemies were tormented.

5 And then, when the terrible fury of the beasts came upon them, and they were destroyed by the bites of the cunning serpents, thy wrath did not continue to the end.

6 But they were troubled for a short time for admonition, having received the sign of salvation, in remembrance of the commandment of thy law,

7 For he that turneth was healed, not by that which he looked, but by thee, the Saviour of all.

8 And by this thou hast shewed our enemies that thou art the deliverer of all evil;

9 For they were killed by the wounds of locusts and flies, and there was no medicine for their souls, because they were worthy to be tormented by them.