12 There were too many dead bodies to count. There were not enough people left to bury them all. In a single moment their dearest children died; all of them met death in the same way.
13 These people had paid no attention to any warning, but relied instead on their magical powers. But when their firstborn sons were killed, then they recognized that Israel was God's son.
14 The short night was half over, and all was quiet and peaceful,
15 when suddenly your threats were carried out! An invincible word of judgement sped from your royal throne in heaven, straight down to that doomed land. It came like a soldier charging to attack,
16 carrying out your firm command with a fearful weapon, standing with feet on the ground and head touching the sky, filling the land with death.
17 At that moment the people who were about to die had terrible nightmares and were seized by sudden fear.
18 All over the land they lay half-dead and let it be known why they were dying.