17 For when men believe not that you are perfect in power, you show your strength, And in dealing with them that know it you put their boldness to confusion.
18 But you, being sovereign over your strength, judge in gentleness, And with great forbearance do you govern us; For the power is your whenever you have the will.
19 But you did teach your people by such works as these, How that the righteous must be a lover of men; And you did make your sons to be of good hope, Because you give repentance when men have sinned.
20 For if on them that were enemies of your servants and due to death You did take vengeance with so great heedfulness and indulgence, Giving them times and place whereby they might escape from their wickedness;
21 With how great carefulness did you judge your sons, To whose fathers you gave oaths and covenants of good promises!
22 While therefore you do 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 Wherefore also the unrighteous that lived in folly of life You did torment through their own abominations.