Wisdom 16:4-6

Common English Bible

⁴ The enemies of your people, who oppressed them like tyrants, were fated to experience a famine that never seemed to end. But all that was necessary for your people was to show them how their enemies were to be tortured.

Insects and the bronze serpent

⁵ Even when the terrible fury of beasts overwhelmed your people and they were perishing from the stings of coiled serpents, your anger didn’t last long. ⁶ They were terrified only for a little while as a warning, since they had the sign of their salvation as a reminder of the command of your Law.