Wisdom 12:18-20

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

¹⁸ Although you are sovereign in strength, you judge with mildness,
and with great forbearance you govern us;
for you have power to act whenever you choose.

¹⁹ Through such works you have taught your people
that the righteous must be kind,
and you have filled your children with good hope,
because you give repentance for sins.
²⁰ For if you punished with such great care and indulgence^[a]
the enemies of your servants^[b] and those deserving of death,
granting them time and opportunity to give up their wickedness,