Wisdom 18:20-25

Good News Translation

Aaron's Prayer Saves the Israelites from Death

^20 (A)Death also came to the righteous nation, for an epidemic struck many of them while they were in the desert, but your anger did not last long. ²¹ There was a certain blameless man who quickly took action to defend them. Acting as their priest, Aaron offered prayers and burned the incense used in asking forgiveness of sins. With prayers and incense as his weapons, he withstood your anger and ended the disaster. By doing this he proved that he was your servant. ²² He overcame the bitter difficulty,^[a] but not by his own strength or by military force. Instead, he used prayer to stop the punishment, appealing to the promises you solemnly gave to our ancestors. ²³ Dead bodies were already lying in piles, but he stepped in to hold your anger back and to keep it from harming those who were left alive. ²⁴ He wore a long robe decorated with symbols of the universe. In honor of our ancestors he wore four rows of engraved stones on his chest, and your own majesty was represented by the ornament on his turban. ²⁵ The Angel of Death was afraid of these things, and gave up. It was only a slight experience of your wrath, but it was enough.