Wisdom 18:20-22

Revised Standard Version

²⁰ The experience of death touched also the righteous,
and a plague came upon the multitude in the desert,
but the wrath did not long continue.
²¹ For a blameless man was quick to act as their champion;
he brought forward the shield of his ministry,
prayer and propitiation by incense;
he withstood the anger and put an end to the disaster,
showing that he was thy servant.
²² He conquered the wrath^[a] not by strength of body,
and not by force of arms,
but by his word he subdued the punisher,
appealing to the oaths and covenants given to our fathers.