¹

A copy of an epistle, which Jeremy sent unto them which were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to certify them, as it was commanded him of God.

¹

ΑΝΤΙΓΡΑΦΟΝ ἐπιστολῆς, ἧς ἀπέστειλεν ῾Ιερεμίας πρὸς τοὺς ἀχθησομένους αἰχμαλώτους εἰς Βαβυλῶνα ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως τῶν Βαβυλωνίων ἀναγγεῖλαι αὐτοῖς καθότι ἐπετάγη αὐτῷ ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ. Διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας, ἃς ἡμαρτήκατε ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀχθήσεσθε εἰς Βαβυλῶνα αἰχμάλωτοι ὑπὸ Ναβουχοδονόσορ βασιλέως τῶν Βαβυλωνίων

²

Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.

²

εἰσελθόντες οὖν εἰς Βαβυλῶνα ἔσεσθε ἐκεῖ ἔτη πλείονα καὶ χρόνον μακρὸν ἕως γενεῶν ἑπτά· μετὰ τοῦτο δὲ ἐξάξω ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖθεν μετ' εἰρήνης.

³

So when ye be come unto Babylon, ye shall remain there many years, and for a long season, namely, seven generations: and after that I will bring you away peaceably from thence.

³

νυνὶ δὲ ὄψεσθε ἐν Βαβυλῶνι θεοὺς ἀργυροῦς καὶ χρυσοῦς καὶ ξυλίνους ἐπ' ὤμοις αἰρομένους, δεικνύντας φόβον τοῖς ἔθνεσιν.

⁴

Now shall ye see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.

⁴

εὐλαβήθητε οὖν μὴ καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀφομοιωθέντες τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις ἀφομοιωθῆτε καὶ φόβος ὑμᾶς λάβῃ ἐπ' αὐτοῖς

⁵

Beware therefore that ye in no wise be like to strangers, neither be ye afraid of them, when ye see the multitude before them and behind them, worshipping them.

⁵

ἰδόντας ὄχλον ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν αὐτῶν προσκυνοῦντας αὐτά· εἴπατε δὲ τῇ διανοίᾳ· σοὶ δεῖ προσκυνεῖν, δέσποτα.

⁶

But say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee.

⁶

ὁ γὰρ ἄγγελός μου μεθ' ὑμῶν ἐστιν, αὐτός τε ἐκζητῶν τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν.

⁷

For mine angel is with you, and I myself caring for your souls.

⁷

γλῶσσα γὰρ αὐτῶν ἐστι κετεξυσμένη ὑπὸ τέκτονος, αὐτά τε περίχρυσα καὶ περιάργυρα, ψευδῆ δ' ἐστὶ καὶ οὐ δύνανται λαλεῖν.

⁸

As for their tongue, it is polished by the workman, and they themselves are gilded and laid over with gold; yet are they but false, and cannot speak.

⁸

καὶ ὥσπερ παρθένῳ φιλοκόσμῳ λαμβάνοντες χρυσίον κατασκευάζουσι στεφάνους ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν·

⁹

And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loveth to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods.

⁹

ἔστι δὲ καὶ ὅτε ὑφαιρούμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς ἀπὸ τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν χρυσίον καὶ ἀργύριον εἰς ἑαυτοὺς καταναλώσουσι, δώσουσι δὲ ἀπ' αὐτῶν καὶ ταῖς ἐπὶ τοῦ στέγους πόρναις.

¹⁰

Sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves.

¹⁰

κοσμοῦσί τε αὐτοὺς ὡς ἀνθρώπους τοῖς ἐνδύμασι, θεοὺς ἀργυροῦς καὶ θεοὺς χρυσοῦς καὶ ξυλίνους· οὗτοι δὲ οὐ διασῴζονται ἀπὸ ἰοῦ καὶ βρωμάτων.

¹¹

Yea, they will give thereof to the common harlots, and deck them as men with garments, being gods of silver, and gods of gold, and wood.

¹¹

περιβεβλημένων αὐτῶν ἱματισμὸν πορφυροῦν, ἐκμάσσονται τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν διὰ τὸν ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας κονιορτόν, ὅς ἐστι πλείω ἐπ' αὐτοῖς.

¹²

Yet cannot these gods save themselves from rust and moths, though they be covered with purple raiment.

¹²

καὶ σκῆπτρον ἔχει ὡς ἄνθρωπος κριτὴς χώρας, ὃς τὸν εἰς αὐτὸν ἁμαρτάνοντα οὐκ ἀνελεῖ.

¹³

They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, when there is much upon them.

¹³

ἔχει δὲ ἐγχειρίδιον ἐν δεξιᾷ καὶ πέλεκυν, ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐκ πολέμου καὶ λῃστῶν οὐκ ἐξελεῖται.

¹⁴

And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth him holdeth a sceptre, as though he were a judge of the country.

¹⁴

ὅθεν γνώριμοί εἰσιν οὐκ ὄντες θεοί· μὴ οὖν φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς. -

¹⁵

He hath also in his right hand a dagger and an axe: but cannot deliver himself from war and thieves.

¹⁵

῞Ωσπερ γὰρ σκεῦος ἀνθρώπου συντριβὲν ἀχρεῖον γίνεται, τοιοῦτοι ὑπάρχουσιν οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν, καθιδρυμένων αὐτῶν ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις.

¹⁶

Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.

¹⁶

οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν πλήρεις εἰσὶ κονιορτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ποδῶν τῶν εἰσπορευομένων.

¹⁷

For like as a vessel that a man useth is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their gods: when they be set up in the temple, their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in.

¹⁷

καὶ ὥσπερ τινὶ ἠδικηκότι βασιλέα περιπεφραγμέναι εἰσὶν αἱ αὐλαί, ὡς ἐπὶ θανάτῳ ἀπηγμένῳ, τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν ὀχυροῦσιν οἱ ἱερεῖς θυρώμασί τε καὶ κλείθροις καὶ μοχλοῖς, ὅπως ὑπὸ τῶν λῃστῶν μὴ συληθῶσι.

¹⁸

And as the doors are made sure on every side upon him that offendeth the king, as being committed to suffer death; even so the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest their gods be spoiled with robbers.

¹⁸

λύχνους καίουσι καὶ πλείους ἢ ἑαυτοῖς, ὧν οὐδένα δύνανται ἰδεῖν.

¹⁹

They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof they cannot see one.

¹⁹

ἔστι μὲν ὥσπερ δοκὸς τῶν ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας, τὰς δὲ καρδίας αὐτῶν φασὶν ἐκλείχεσθαι, τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἑρπετῶν κατεσθόντων αὐτούς τε καὶ τὸν ἱματισμὸν αὐτῶν, οὐκ αἰσθάνονται.

²⁰

They are as one of the beams of the temple, yet they say their hearts are gnawed upon by things creeping out of the earth; and when they eat them and their clothes, they feel it not.

²⁰

μεμελανωμένοι τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ καπνοῦ τοῦ ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας.

²¹

Their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple.

²¹

ἐπὶ τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτῶν ἐφίπτανται νυκτερίδες, χελιδόνες καὶ τὰ ὄρνεα, ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ οἱ αἴλουροι.

²²

Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also.

²²

ὅθεν γνώσεσθε ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί· μὴ οὖν φοβεῖσθε αὐτά. -

²³

By this ye may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.

²³

Τὸ γὰρ χρυσίον, ὃ περίκεινται εἰς κάλλος, ἐὰν μή τις ἐκμάξῃ τὸν ἰόν, οὐ μὴ στίλψωσιν· οὐδὲ γάρ, ὅτε ἐχωνεύοντο, ᾐσθάνοντο.

²⁴

Notwithstanding the gold that is about them to make them beautiful, except they wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten did they feel it.

²⁴

ἐκ πάσης τιμῆς ἠγορασμένα ἐστίν, ἐν οἷς οὐκ ῎στι πνεῦμα.

²⁵

The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price.

²⁵

ἄνευ ποδῶν ἐπ' ὤμοις φέρονται ἐνδεικνύμενοι τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀτιμίαν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις, αἰσχύνονταί τε καὶ οἱ θεραπεύοντες αὐτὰ

²⁶

They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet, whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth.

²⁶

διὰ τὸ εἴ ποτε ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν πέσῃ, μὴ δι' αὐτῶν ἀνίστασθαι· μήτε ἐάν τις αὐτὸ ὀρθὸν στήσῃ, δι' ἑαυτοῦ κινηθήσεται, μήτε ἐὰν κλιθῇ, οὐ μὴ ὀρθωθῇ, ἀλλ' ὥσπερ νεκροῖς τὰ δῶρα αὐτοῖς παρατίθεται.

²⁷

They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they cannot rise up again of themselves: neither, if one set them upright, can they move of themselves: neither, if they be bowed down, can they make themselves straight: but they set gifts before them, as unto dead men.

²⁷

τὰς δὲ θυσίας αὐτῶν ἀποδόμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς αὐτῶν καταχρῶνται· ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες αὐτῶν ἀπ' αὐτῶν ταριχεύουσαι οὔτε πτωχῷ οὔτε ἀδυνάτῳ μὴ μεταδῶσι.

²⁸

As for the things that are sacrificed unto them, their priests sell and abuse; in like manner their wives lay up part thereof in salt; but unto the poor and impotent they give nothing of it.

²⁸

τῶν θυσιῶν αὐτῶν ἀποκαθημένη καὶ λεχὼ ἅπτονται. γνόντες οὖν ἀπὸ τούτων ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί, μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς. -

²⁹

Menstruous women and women in childbed eat their sacrifices: by these things ye may know that they are no gods: fear them not.

²⁹

Πόθεν γὰρ κληθείησαν θεοί; ὅτι γυναῖκες παραιτιθέασι θεοῖς ἀργυροῖς καὶ χρυσοῖς καὶ ξυλίνοις·

³⁰

For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.

³⁰

καὶ ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις αὐτῶν οἱ ἱερεῖς διφρεύουσιν, ἔχοντες τοὺς χιτῶνας διερρωγότας καὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς καὶ τοὺς πώγωνας ἐξυρημένους, ὧν αἱ κεφαλαὶ ἀκάλυπτοί εἰσιν,

³¹

And the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.

³¹

ὠρύονται δὲ βοῶντες ἐναντίον τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν ὥσπερ τινὲς ἐν περιδείπνῳ νεκροῦ.

³²

They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.

³²

ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱματισμοῦ αὐτῶν ἀφελόμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐνδύσουσι τὰς γυναῖκας αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ παιδία.

³³

The priests also take off their garments, and clothe their wives and children.

³³

οὔτε ἐὰν κακὸν πάθωσιν ὑπό τινος οὔτε ἐὰν ἀγαθόν, δυνήσονται ἀνταποδοῦναι· οὔτε καταστῆσαι βασιλέα δύνανται οὔτε ἀφελέσθαι.

³⁴

Whether it be evil that one doeth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set up a king, nor put him down.

³⁴

ὡσαύτως οὔτε πλοῦτον οὔτε χαλκὸν οὐ μὴ δύνωνται διδόναι· ἐάν τις εὐχὴν αὐτοῖς εὐξάμενος μὴ ἀποδῷ, οὐ μὴ ἐπιζητήσωσιν.

³⁵

In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money: though a man make a vow unto them, and keep it not, they will not require it.

³⁵

ἐκ θανάτου ἄνθρωπον οὐ μὴ ρύσωνται οὔτε ἥττονα ἀπὸ ἰσχυροῦ μὴ ἐξέλωνται.

³⁶

They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.

³⁶

ἄνθρωπον τυφλὸν εἰς ὅρασιν οὐ μὴ περιστήσωσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκῃ ἄνθρωπον ὄντα οὐ μὴ ἐξέλωνται.

³⁷

They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress.

³⁷

χήραν οὐ μὴ ἐλεήσωσιν οὔτε ὀρφανὸν εὖ ποιήσωσι.

³⁸

They can shew no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.

³⁸

τοῖς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους λίθοις ὡμοιωμένοι εἰσὶ τὰ ξύλινα καὶ τὰ περίχρυσα καὶ τὰ περιάργυρα, οἱ δὲ θεραπεύοντες αὐτὰ καταισχυνθήσονται.

³⁹

Their gods of wood, and which are overlaid with gold and silver, are like the stones that be hewn out of the mountain: they that worship them shall be confounded.

³⁹

πῶς οὖν νομιστέον ἢ κλητέον ὑπάρχειν αὐτοὺς θεούς;

⁴⁰

How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them?

⁴⁰

ἔτι δὲ καὶ αὐτῶν τῶν Χαλδαίων ἀτιμαζόντων αὐτά, οἵ, ὅταν ἴδωσιν ἐνεὸν μὴ δυνάμενον λαλῆσαι, προσενεγκάμενοι τὸν Βῆλον ἀξιοῦσι φωνῆσαι, ὡς δυνατοῦ ὄντος αὐτοῦ αἰσθέσθαι,

⁴¹

Who if they shall see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and intreat Bel that he may speak, as though he were able to understand.

⁴¹

καὶ οὐ δύνανται αὐτοὶ νοήσαντες καταλιπεῖν αὐτά, αἴσθησιν γὰρ οὐκ ἔχουσιν.

⁴²

Yet they cannot understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge.

⁴²

αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες περιθέμεναι σχοινία ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς ἐγκάθηνται θυμιῶσαι τὰ πίτυρα·

⁴³

The women also with cords about them, sitting in the ways, burn bran for perfume: but if any of them, drawn by some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.

⁴³

ὅταν δέ τις αὐτῶν ἐφελκυσθεῖσα ὑπό τινος τῶν παραπορευομένων κοιμηθῇ, τὴν πλησίον ὀνειδίζει, ὅτι οὐκ ἠξίωται ὥσπερ καὶ αὐτὴ οὔτε τὸ σχοινίον αὐτῆς διερράγη.

⁴⁴

Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?

⁴⁴

πάντα τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐστι ψευδῆ· πῶς οὖν νομιστέον ἢ κλητέον ὡς θεοὺς αὐτοὺς ὑπάρχειν;

⁴⁵

They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.

⁴⁵

ὐπὸ τεκτόνων καὶ χρυσοχόων κατεσκευασμένα εἰσίν· οὐδὲν ἄλλο μὴ γένωνται ἢ ὃ βούλονται οἱ τεχνῖται αὐτὰ γενέσθαι.

⁴⁶

And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods?

⁴⁶

αὐτοί τε οἱ κατασκευάζοντες αὐτὰ οὐ μὴ γένωνται πολυχρόνιοι·

⁴⁷

For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.

⁴⁷

πῶς τε δὴ μέλλει τὰ ὑπ' αὐτῶν κατασκευασθέντα εἶναι θεοί; κατέλιπον γὰρ ψεύδη καὶ ὄνειδος τοῖς ἐπιγινομένοις.

⁴⁸

For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.

⁴⁸

ὅταν γὰρ ἐπέλθῃ ἐπ' αὐτὰ πόλεμος καὶ κακά, βουλεύονται πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς οἱ ἱερεῖς ποῦ συναποκρυβῶσι μετ' αὐτῶν.

⁴⁹

How then cannot men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?

⁴⁹

πῶς οὖν οὐκ ἔστιν αἰσθέσθαι ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί, οἳ οὔτε σῴζουσιν ἑαυτοὺς ἐκ πολέμου οὔτε ἐκ κακῶν;

⁵⁰

For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:

⁵⁰

ὑπάρχοντα γὰρ ξύλινα καὶ περίχρυσα καὶ περιάργυρα γνωσθήσεται μετὰ ταῦτα, ὅτι ἐστὶ ψευδῆ· τοῖς ἔθνεσι πᾶσι τοῖς τε βασιλεῦσι φανερὸν ἔσται, ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί, ἀλλὰ ἔργα χειρῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ οὐδὲν Θεοῦ ἔργον ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐστι.

⁵¹

and it shall manifestly appear to all nations and kings that they are no gods, but the works of men's hands, and that there is no work of God in them.

⁵¹

τίνι οὖν γνωστέον ἐστίν, ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί;

⁵²

Who then may not know that they are no gods?

⁵²

βασιλέα γὰρ χώρας οὐ μὴ ἀναστήσωσιν οὔτε ὑετὸν ἀνθρώποις οὐ μὴ δῶσι,

⁵³

For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain unto men.

⁵³

κρίσιν τε οὐ μὴ διακρίνωσιν αὐτῶν, οὐδὲ μὴ ρύσωνται ἀδικούμενον ἀδύνατοι ὄντες· ὥσπερ γὰρ κορῶναι ἀναμέσον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς.

⁵⁴

Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.

⁵⁴

καὶ γὰρ ὅταν ἐμπέσῃ εἰς οἰκίαν θεῶν ξυλίων ἢ περιχεύσων ἢ περιαργύρων πῦρ, οἱ μὲν ἱερεῖς αὐτῶν φεύξονται καὶ διασωθήσονται, αὐτοὶ δὲ ὥσπερ δοκοὶ μέσοι κατακαυθήσονται.

⁵⁵

Whereupon when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or laid over with gold or silver, their priests will flee away, and escape: but they themselves shall be burned asunder like beams.

⁵⁵

βασιλεῖ δὲ καὶ πολεμίοις οὐ μὴ ἀντιστῶσι.

⁵⁶

Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?

⁵⁶

πῶς οὖν ἐκδεκτέον ἢ νομιστέον ὅτι εἰσὶ θεοί; οὔτε ἀπὸ κλεπτῶν οὔτε ἀπὸ λῃστῶν οὐ μὴ διασωθῶσι θεοὶ ξύλινοι καὶ περιάργυροι καὶ περίχρυσοι,

⁵⁷

Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.

⁵⁷

ὧν οἱ ἰσχύοντες περιελοῦνται τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον, καὶ τὸν ἱματισμὸν τὸν περικείμενον αὐτοῖς ἀπελεύσονται ἔχοντες, οὔτε ἑαυτοῖς οὐ μὴ βοηθήσωσιν·

⁵⁸

Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong do take, and go away withal: neither are they able to help themselves.

⁵⁸

ὥστε κρεῖσσον εἶναι βασιλέα ἐπιδεικνύμενον τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀνδρείαν ἢ σκεῦος ἐν οἰκίᾳ χρήσιμον, ἐφ' ᾣ χρήσεται ὁ κεκτημένος, ἢ οἱ ψευδεῖς θεοί· ἢ καὶ θύρα ἐν οἰκίᾳ διασῴζουσα τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ὄντα ἢ ψευδεῖς θεοί· καὶ ξύλινος στύλος ἐν βασιλείοις ἢ οἱ ψευδεῖς θεοί.

⁵⁹

Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power, or else a profitable vessel in an house, which the owner shall have use of, than such false gods; or to be a door in an house, to keep such things safe as be therein, than such false gods; or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.

⁵⁹

ἥλιος μὲν γὰρ καὶ σελήνη καὶ ἄστρα ὄντα λαμπρὰ καὶ ἀποστελλόμενα ἐπὶ χρείας εὐήκοά εἰσιν·

⁶⁰

For sun, moon, and stars, being bright, and sent to do their offices, are obedient.

⁶⁰

ὡσαύτως καὶ ἀστραπή, ὅταν ἐπιφανῇ, εὔοπτός ἐστι, τὸ δ' αὐτὸ καὶ πνεῦμα ἐν πάσῃ χώρᾳ πνεῖ.

⁶¹

In like manner the lightning when it breaketh forth is easy to be seen: and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country.

⁶¹

καὶνεφέλαις ὅταν ἐπιταγῇ ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπιπορεύεσθαι ἐφ' ὅλην τὴν οἰκουμένην, συντελοῦσι τὸ ταχθέν· τό τε πῦρ ἐξαποσταλὲν ἄνωθεν ἐξαναλῶσαι ὄρη καὶ δρυμούς, ποιεῖ τὸ συνταχθέν.

⁶²

And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.

⁶²

ταῦτα δὲ οὔτε ταῖς ἰδέαις οὔτε ταῖς δυνάμεσιν αὐτῶν ἀφωμοιωμένα ἐστίν.

⁶³

And the fire sent from above to consume hills and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are like unto them neither in shew nor power.

⁶³

ὅθεν οὔτε νομιστέον οὔτε κλητέον ὑπάρχειν αὐτοὺς θεούς, οὐ δυνατῶν ὄντων αὐτῶν οὔτε κρίσιν κρῖναι οὔτε εὖ ποιῆσαι ἀνθρώποις.

⁶⁴

Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men.

⁶⁴

γνόντες οὖν ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί, μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς·

⁶⁵

Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not.

⁶⁵

οὔτε γὰρ βασιλεῦσιν οὐ μὴ καταράσωνται οὔτε μὴ εὐλογήσωσι.

⁶⁶

For they can neither curse nor bless kings:

⁶⁶

σημεῖά τε ἐν ἔθνεσιν ἐν οὐρανῷ οὐ μὴ δείξωσιν, οὐδὲ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος λάμψουσιν οὐδὲ φωτιοῦσιν ὡς ἡ σελήνη.

⁶⁷

neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.

⁶⁷

τὰ θηρία ἐστὶκρείττῳ αὐτῶν, ἃ δύνανται ἐκφυγόντα εἰς σκέπην ἑαυτὰ ὠφελῆσαι.

⁶⁸

The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a covert, and help themselves.

⁶⁸

κατ' οὐδένα οὖν τρόπον ἡμῖν ἐστι φανερὸν ὅτι εἰσὶ θεοί. διὸ μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς·

⁶⁹

It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.

⁶⁹

ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐν σικυηράτῳ προβασκάνιον οὐδὲν φυλάσσον, οὕτως οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν εἰσὶ ξύλινοι καὶ περίχρυσοι καὶ περιάργυροι.

⁷⁰

For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold.

⁷⁰

τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον καὶ τῇ ἐν κήπῳ ράμνῳ, ἐφ' ἧς πᾶν ὄρνεον ἐπικάθηται, ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ νεκρῷ ἐρριμμένῳ ἐν σκότει ἀφωμοίωνται οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν ξύλινοι καὶ περίχρυσοι καὶ περιάργυροι.

⁷¹

And likewise their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is cast into the dark.

⁷¹

ἀπό τε τῆς πορφύρας καὶ τῆς μαρμάρου τῆς ἐπ' αὐτοῖς σηπομένης γνωσθήσονται ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί· αὐτά τε ἐξ ὑστέρου βρωθήσονται, καὶ ἔσται ὄνειδος ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ.

⁷²

And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon them: and they themselves afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country.

⁷²

κρεῖσσον οὖν ἄνθρωπος δίκαιος οὐκ ἔχων εἴδωλα, ἔσται γὰρ μακρὰν ἀπὸ ὀνειδισμοῦ.

⁷³

Better therefore is the just man that hath no idols: for he shall be far from reproach.