Wisdom 12:9-11

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

⁹ though you were not unable to give the ungodly into the hands of the righteous in battle,
or to destroy them at one blow by dread wild animals or your stern word.
¹⁰ But judging them little by little you gave them an opportunity to repent,
though you were not unaware that their origin^[a] was evil
and their wickedness inborn,
and that their way of thinking would never change.
¹¹ For they were an accursed race from the beginning,
and it was not through fear of anyone that you left them unpunished for their sins.