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[293]
BUT when the king despised the words of Moses, and had no
regard at all to them, grievous plagues seized the Egyptians; every one
of which I will describe, both because no such plagues did ever happen
to any other nation as the Egyptians now felt, and because I would demonstrate
that Moses did not fail in any one thing that he foretold them; and because
it is for the good of mankind, that they may learn this caution - Not to
do anything that may displease God, lest he be provoked to wrath, and avenge
their iniquities upon them. For the Egyptian river ran with bloody water
at the command of God, insomuch that it could not be drunk, and they had
no other spring of water neither; for the water was not only of the color
of blood, but it brought upon those that ventured to drink of it, great
pains and bitter torment. Such was the river to the Egyptians; but it was
sweet and fit for drinking to the Hebrews, and no way different from what
it naturally used to be. As the king therefore knew not what to do in these
surprising circumstances, and was in fear for the Egyptians, he gave the
Hebrews leave to go away; but when the plague ceased, he changed his mind
again, end would not suffer them to go.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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