Baruch 6

For the sins that you have committed before God, you shall be carried away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon.

Propter peccata quæ peccastis ante Deum, abducemini in Babyloniam captivi a Nabuchodonosor rege Babylonis.

διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἃς ἡμαρτήκατε ἐναντίον τοῦ θεοῦ ἀχθήσεσθε εἰς Βαβυλῶνα αἰχμάλωτοι ὑπὸ Ναβουχοδονοσορ βασιλέως τῶν Βαβυλωνίων

And when you are come into Babylon, you shall be there many years, and for a long time, even to seven generations: and after that I will bring you away from thence with peace.

Ingressi itaque in Babylonem, eritis ibi annis plurimis, et temporibus longis, usque ad generationes septem : post hoc autem educam vos inde cum pace.

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

But now, you shall see in Babylon gods of gold, and of silver, and of stone, and of wood borne upon shoulders, causing fear to the Gentiles.

Nunc autem videbitis in Babylonia deos aureos et argenteos, et lapideos et ligneos, in humeris portari, ostentantes metum gentibus.

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

Beware therefore that you imitate not the doings of others, and be afraid, and the fear of them should seize upon you.

Videte ergo ne et vos similes efficiamini factis alienis, et metuatis, et metus vos capiat in ipsis.

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

But when you see the multitude behind, and before, adoring them, say you in your hearts: Thou oughtest to be adored, O Lord.

Visa itaque turba de retro et ab ante, adorantes dicite in cordibus vestris : Te oportet adorari, Domine.

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

For my angel is with you: And I myself will demand an account of your souls.

Angelus enim meus vobiscum est : ipse autem exquiram animas vestras.

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

For their tongue that is polished by the craftsman, and themselves laid over with gold and silver, are false things, and they cannot speak.

Nam lingua ipsorum polita a fabro; ipsa etiam inaurata et inargentata : falsa sunt, et non possunt loqui.

γλῶσσα γὰρ αὐτῶν ἐστιν κατεξυσμένη ὑπὸ τέκτονος αὐτά τε περίχρυσα καὶ περιάργυρα ψευδῆ δ' ἐστὶν καὶ οὐ δύνανται λαλεῖν

And as if it were for a maiden that loveth to go gay: so do they take gold and make them up.

Et sicut virgini amanti ornamenta, ita accepto auro fabricati sunt.

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

Their gods have golden crowns upon their heads: whereof the priests secretly convey away from them gold, and silver, and bestow it on themselves.

Coronas certe aureas habent super capita sua dii illorum : unde subtrahunt sacerdotes ab eis aurum et argentum, et erogant illud in semetipsos.

ἔστι δὲ καὶ ὅτε ὑφαιρούμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς ἀπὸ τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν χρυσίον καὶ ἀργύριον εἰς ἑαυτοὺς καταναλώσουσιν δώσουσιν δὲ ἀπ' αὐτῶν καὶ ταῖς ἐπὶ τοῦ τέγους πόρναις

Yea and they give thereof to prostitutes, and they dress out harlots: and again when they receive it of the harlots, they adorn their gods.

Dant autem et ex ipso prostitutis, et meretrices ornant : et iterum cum receperint illud a meretricibus, ornant deos suos.

κοσμοῦσί τε αὐτοὺς ὡς ἀνθρώπους τοῖς ἐνδύμασιν θεοὺς ἀργυροῦς καὶ χρυσοῦς καὶ ξυλίνους οὗτοι δὲ οὐ διασῴζονται ἀπὸ ἰοῦ καὶ βρωμάτων

And these gods cannot defend themselves from the rust, and the moth.

Hi autem non liberantur ab ærugine et tinea.

περιβεβλημένων αὐτῶν ἱματισμὸν πορφυροῦν ἐκμάσσονται τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν διὰ τὸν ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας κονιορτόν ὅς ἐστιν πλείων ἐπ' αὐτοῖς

But when they have covered them with a purple garment, they wipe their face because of the dust of the house, which is very much among them.

Opertis autem illis veste purpurea, extergunt faciem ipsorum propter pulverem domus qui est plurimus inter eos.

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

This holdeth a sceptre as a man, as a judge of the country, but cannot put to death one that offendeth him.

Sceptrum autem habet ut homo, sicut judex regionis, qui in se peccantem non interficit.

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

And this hath in his hand a sword, or an axe, but cannot save himself from war, or from robbers, whereby be it known to you, that they are not gods.

Habet etiam in manu gladium et securim, se autem de bello et a latronibus non liberat. Unde vobis notum sit quia non sunt dii:

ὅθεν γνώριμοί εἰσιν οὐκ ὄντες θεοί μὴ οὖν φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς

Therefore fear them not. For as a vessel that a man uses when it is broken becometh useless, even so are their gods:

non ergo timueritis eos. Sicut enim vas hominis confractum inutile efficitur, tales sunt et dii illorum.

ὥσπερ γὰρ σκεῦος ἀνθρώπου συντριβὲν ἀχρεῖον γίνεται τοιοῦτοι ὑπάρχουσιν οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν καθιδρυμένων αὐτῶν ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις

When they are placed in the house, their eyes are full of dust by the feet of them that go in.

Constitutis illis in domo, oculi eorum pleni sunt pulvere a pedibus introëuntium.

οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν πλήρεις εἰσὶν κονιορτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ποδῶν τῶν εἰσπορευομένων

And as the gates are made sure on every side upon one that hath offended the king, or like a dead man carried to the grave, so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks, lest they be stripped by thieves.

Et sicut alicui qui regem offendit circumseptæ sunt januæ, aut sicut ad sepulchrum adductum mortuum : ita tutantur sacerdotes ostia clausuris et seris, ne a latronibus expolientur.

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

They light candles to them, and in great number, of which they cannot see one: but they are like beams in the house.

Lucernas accendunt illis, et quidem multas, ex quibus nullam videre possunt : sunt autem sicut trabes in domo.

λύχνους καίουσιν καὶ πλείους ἢ ἑαυτοῖς ὧν οὐδένα δύνανται ἰδεῖν

And they say that the creeping things which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts, while they eat them and their garments, and they feel it not.

Corda vero eorum dicunt elingere serpentes qui de terra sunt, dum comedunt eos, et vestimentum ipsorum, et non sentiunt.

ἔστιν μὲν ὥσπερ δοκὸς τῶν ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας τὰς δὲ καρδίας αὐτῶν φασιν ἐκλείχεσθαι τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἑρπετῶν κατεσθόντων αὐτούς τε καὶ τὸν ἱματισμὸν αὐτῶν οὐκ αἰσθάνονται

Their faces are black with the smoke that is made in the house.

Nigræ fiunt facies eorum a fumo qui in domo fit.

μεμελανωμένοι τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ καπνοῦ τοῦ ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας

Owls, and swallows, and other birds fly upon their bodies, and upon their heads, and cats in like manner.

Supra corpus eorum et supra caput eorum volant noctuæ, et hirundines, et aves etiam, similiter et cattæ.

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

Whereby you may know that they are no gods. Therefore fear them not.

Unde sciatis quia non sunt dii : ne ergo timueritis eos.

ὅθεν γνώσεσθε ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί μὴ οὖν φοβεῖσθε αὐτά

The gold also which they have, is for show, but except a man wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten, did they feel it.

Aurum etiam quod habent ad speciem est : nisi aliquis exterserit æruginem, non fulgebunt : neque enim dum conflarentur, sentiebant.

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

Men buy them at a high price, whereas there is no breath in them.

Ex omni pretio empta sunt, in quibus spiritus non inest ipsis.

ἐκ πάσης τιμῆς ἠγορασμένα ἐστίν ἐν οἷς οὐκ ἔστιν πνεῦμα

And having not the use of feet they are carried upon shoulders, declaring to men how vile they are. Be they confounded also that worship them.

Sine pedibus, in humeris portantur, ostentantes ignobilitatem suam hominibus : confundantur etiam qui colunt ea.

ἄνευ ποδῶν ἐπ' ὤμοις φέρονται ἐνδεικνύμενοι τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀτιμίαν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις αἰσχύνονταί τε καὶ οἱ θεραπεύοντες αὐτὰ διὰ τό μήποτε ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν πέσῃ δι' αὐτῶν ἀνίστασθαι

Therefore if they fall to the ground, they rise not up again of themselves, nor if a man set them upright, will they stand by themselves, but their gifts shall be set before them, as to the dead.

Propterea si ceciderint in terram, a semetipsis non consurgunt : neque si quis eum statuerit rectum, per semetipsum stabit : sed sicut mortuis munera eorum illis apponentur.

μήτε ἐάν τις αὐτὸ ὀρθὸν στήσῃ δι' ἑαυτοῦ κινηθήσεται μήτε ἐὰν κλιθῇ οὐ μὴ ὀρθωθῇ ἀλλ' ὥσπερ νεκροῖς τὰ δῶρα αὐτοῖς παρατίθεται

The things that are sacrificed to them, their priests sell and abuse: in like manner also their wives take part of them, but give nothing of it either to the sick, or to the poor.

Hostias illorum vendunt sacerdotes ipsorum, et abutuntur : similiter et mulieres eorum decerpentes, neque infirmo, neque mendicanti, aliquid impertiunt.

τὰς δὲ θυσίας αὐτῶν ἀποδόμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς αὐτῶν καταχρῶνται ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες αὐτῶν ἀπ' αὐτῶν ταριχεύουσαι οὔτε πτωχῷ οὔτε ἀδυνάτῳ μεταδιδόασιν τῶν θυσιῶν αὐτῶν ἀποκαθημένη καὶ λεχὼ ἅπτονται

The childbearing and menstruous women touch their sacrifices: knowing, therefore, by these things that they are not gods, fear them not.

De sacrificiis eorum fœtæ et menstruatæ contingunt. Sciens itaque ex his quia non sunt dii, ne timeatis eos.

γνόντες οὖν ἀπὸ τούτων ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς

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

Unde enim vocantur dii? quia mulieres apponunt diis argenteis, et aureis, et ligneis:

πόθεν γὰρ κληθείησαν θεοί ὅτι γυναῖκες παρατιθέασιν θεοῖς ἀργυροῖς καὶ χρυσοῖς καὶ ξυλίνοις

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

et in domibus eorum sacerdotes sedent habentes tunicas scissas, et capita et barbam rasam, quorum capita nuda sunt.

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

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

Rugiunt autem clamantes contra deos suos sicut in cœna mortui.

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

The priests take away their garments, and clothe their wives and their children.

Vestimenta eorum auferunt sacerdotes, et vestiunt uxores suas et filios suos.

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

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

Neque si quid mali patiuntur ab aliquo, neque si quid boni, poterunt retribuere : neque regem constituere possunt, neque auferre.

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

In like manner they can neither give riches, nor requite evil. If a man make a vow to them, and perform it not: they cannot require it.

Similiter neque dare divitias possunt, neque malum retribuere. Si quis illis votum voverit et non reddiderit, neque hoc requirunt.

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

They cannot deliver a man from death, nor save the weak from the mighty.

Hominem a morte non liberant, neque infirmum a potentiori eripiunt.

ἐκ θανάτου ἄνθρωπον οὐ μὴ ῥύσωνται οὔτε ἥττονα ἀπὸ ἰσχυροῦ οὐ μὴ ἐξέλωνται

They cannot restore the blind man to his sight: nor deliver a man from distress.

Hominem cæcum ad visum non restituunt; de necessitate hominem non liberabunt.

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

They shall not pity the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.

Viduæ non miserebuntur, neque orphanis benefacient.

χήραν οὐ μὴ ἐλεήσωσιν οὔτε ὀρφανὸν εὖ ποιήσουσιν

Their gods, of wood, and of stone, and of gold, and of silver, are like the stones that are hewn out of the mountains: and they that worship them shall be confounded.

Lapidibus de monte similes sunt dii illorum, lignei, et lapidei, et aurei, et argentei : qui autem colunt ea, confundentur.

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

How then is it to be supposed, or to be said, that they are gods?

Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut dicendum illos esse deos?

πῶς οὖν νομιστέον ἢ κλητέον αὐτοὺς ὑπάρχειν θεούς

Even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them: who when they hear of one dumb that cannot speak, they present him to Bel, entreating him, that he may speak.

Adhuc enim ipsis Chaldæis non honorantibus ea : qui cum audierint mutum non posse loqui, offerunt illud ad Bel, postulantes ab eo loqui:

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

As though they could be sensible that have no motion themselves: and they, when they shall perceive this, will leave them: for their gods themselves have no sense.

quasi possint sentire qui non habent motum! Et ipsi, cum intellexerint, relinquent ea : sensum enim non habent ipsi dii illorum.

καὶ οὐ δύνανται αὐτοὶ νοήσαντες καταλιπεῖν αὐτά αἴσθησιν γὰρ οὐκ ἔχουσιν

The women also, with cords about them, sit in the ways, burning olive-stones.

Mulieres autem circumdatæ funibus in viis sedent, succendentes ossa olivarum:

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

And when any one of them, drawn away by some passenger, lieth with him, she upbraideth her neighbor, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.

cum autem aliqua ex ipsis, attracta ab aliquo transeunte, dormierit cum eo, proximæ suæ exprobrat quod ea non sit digna habita, sicut ipsa, neque funis ejus diruptus sit.

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

But all things that are done about them, are false: how is it then to be thought, or to be said, that they are gods?

Omnia autem quæ illi fiunt, falsa sunt : quomodo æstimandum aut dicendum est illos esse deos?

πάντα τὰ γινόμενα αὐτοῖς ἐστιν ψευδῆ πῶς οὖν νομιστέον ἢ κλητέον ὥστε θεοὺς αὐτοὺς ὑπάρχειν

And they are made by workmen, and by goldsmiths. They shall be nothing else but what the priests will have them to be.

A fabris autem et ab aurificibus facta sunt : nihil aliud erunt, nisi id quod volunt esse sacerdotes.

ὑπὸ τεκτόνων καὶ χρυσοχόων κατεσκευασμένα εἰσίν οὐθὲν ἄλλο μὴ γένωνται ἢ ὃ βούλονται οἱ τεχνῖται αὐτὰ γενέσθαι

For the artificers themselves that make them, are of no long continuance. Can those things then that are made by them, be gods?

Artifices etiam ipsi, qui ea faciunt, non sunt multi temporis : numquid ergo possunt ea, quæ fabricata sunt ab ipsis, esse dii?

αὐτοί τε οἱ κατασκευάζοντες αὐτὰ οὐ μὴ γένωνται πολυχρόνιοι πῶς τε δὴ μέλλει τὰ ὑπ' αὐτῶν κατασκευασθέντα εἶναι θεοί

But they have left false things and reproach to them that come after.

Reliquerunt autem falsa et opprobrium postea futuris.

κατέλιπον γὰρ ψεύδη καὶ ὄνειδος τοῖς ἐπιγινομένοις

For when war cometh upon them, or evils: the priests consult with themselves, where they may hide themselves with them.

Nam cum supervenerit illis prælium et mala, cogitant sacerdotes apud se ubi se abscondant cum illis.

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

How then can they be thought to be gods, that can neither deliver themselves from war, nor save themselves from evils?

Quomodo ergo sentiri debeant quoniam dii sunt, qui nec de bello se liberant, neque de malis se eripiunt?

πῶς οὖν οὐκ ἔστιν αἰσθέσθαι ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί οἳ οὔτε σῴζουσιν ἑαυτοὺς ἐκ πολέμου οὔτε ἐκ κακῶν

For seeing they are but of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, it shall be known hereafter that they are false things, by all nations, and kings: and it shall be manifest that they are no gods, but the work of men’s hands, and that there is no work of God in them.

Nam cum sint lignea, inaurata et inargentata, scietur postea quia falsa sunt ab universis gentibus et regibus : quæ manifesta sunt quia non sunt dii, sed opera manuum hominum, et nullum Dei opus cum illis.

ὑπάρχοντα γὰρ ξύλινα καὶ περίχρυσα καὶ περιάργυρα γνωσθήσεται μετὰ ταῦτα ὅτι ἐστὶν ψευδῆ τοῖς ἔθνεσι πᾶσι τοῖς τε βασιλεῦσι φανερὸν ἔσται ὅτι οὔκ εἰσι θεοὶ ἀλλὰ ἔργα χειρῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ οὐδὲν θεοῦ ἔργον ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐστιν

Whence, therefore, is it known that they are not gods, but the work of men’s hands, and no work of God is in them?

Unde ergo notum est quia non sunt dii, sed opera manuum hominum, et nullum Dei opus in ipsis est.

τίνι οὖν γνωστέον ἐστὶν ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί

They cannot set up a king over the land, nor give rain to men.

Regem regioni non suscitant, neque pluviam hominibus dabunt.

βασιλέα γὰρ χώρας οὐ μὴ ἀναστήσωσιν οὔτε ὑετὸν ἀνθρώποις οὐ μὴ δῶσιν

They determine no causes, nor deliver countries from oppression: because they can do nothing, and are as daws between heaven and earth.

Judicium quoque non discernent, neque regiones liberabunt ab injuria, quia nihil possunt, sicut corniculæ inter medium cæli et terræ.

κρίσιν τε οὐ μὴ διακρίνωσιν αὐτῶν οὐδὲ μὴ ῥύσωνται ἀδικούμενον ἀδύνατοι ὄντες ὥσπερ γὰρ κορῶναι ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς

For when fire shall fall upon the house of these gods of wood, and of silver, and of gold, their priests indeed will flee away, and be saved: but they themselves shall be burnt in the midst like beams.

Etenim cum inciderit ignis in domum deorum ligneorum, argenteorum et aureorum, sacerdotes quidem ipsorum fugient, et liberabuntur : ipsi vero sicut trabes in medio comburentur.

καὶ γὰρ ὅταν ἐμπέσῃ εἰς οἰκίαν θεῶν ξυλίνων ἢ περιχρύσων ἢ περιαργύρων πῦρ οἱ μὲν ἱερεῖς αὐτῶν φεύξονται καὶ διασωθήσονται αὐτοὶ δὲ ὥσπερ δοκοὶ μέσοι κατακαυθήσονται

And they cannot withstand a king and war. How then can it be supposed, or admitted, that they are gods?

Regi autem et bello non resistent. Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut recipiendum quia dii sunt?

βασιλεῖ δὲ καὶ πολεμίοις οὐ μὴ ἀντιστῶσιν

Neither are these gods of wood, and of stone, and laid over with gold, and with silver, able to deliver themselves from thieves or robbers: they that are stronger than them,

Non a furibus, neque a latronibus se liberabunt dii lignei, et lapidei, et inaurati, et inargentati : quibus hi qui fortiores sunt,

πῶς οὖν ἐκδεκτέον ἢ νομιστέον ὅτι εἰσὶν θεοί

Shall take from them the gold, and silver, and the raiment wherewith they are clothed, and shall go their way, neither shall they help themselves.

aurum et argentum, et vestimentum quo operti sunt, auferent illis, et abibunt, nec sibi auxilium ferent.

οὔτε ἀπὸ κλεπτῶν οὔτε ἀπὸ λῃστῶν οὐ μὴ διασωθῶσιν θεοὶ ξύλινοι καὶ περιάργυροι καὶ περίχρυσοι ὧν οἱ ἰσχύοντες περιελοῦνται τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον καὶ τὸν ἱματισμὸν τὸν περικείμενον αὐτοῖς ἀπελεύσονται ἔχοντες οὔτε ἑαυτοῖς οὐ μὴ βοηθήσωσιν

Therefore it is better to be a king that showeth his power: or else a profitable vessel in the house, with which the owner thereof will be well satisfied: or a door in the house, to keep things safe that are therein, than such false gods.

Itaque melius est esse regem ostentantem virtutem suam, aut vas in domo utile, in quo gloriabitur qui possidet illud, vel ostium in domo, quod custodit quæ in ipsa sunt, quam falsi dii.

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

The sun, and the moon, and the stars being bright, and sent forth for profitable uses, are obedient.

Sol quidem et luna ac sidera, cum sint splendida et emissa ad utilitates, obaudiunt:

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

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.

similiter et fulgur cum apparuerit, perspicuum est : idipsum autem et spiritus in omni regione spirat:

ὡσαύτως καὶ ἀστραπή ὅταν ἐπιφανῇ εὔοπτός ἐστιν τὸ δ' αὐτὸ καὶ πνεῦμα ἐν πάσῃ χώρᾳ πνεῖ

And the clouds, when God commandeth them to go over the whole world, do that which is commanded them.

et nubes, quibus cum imperatum fuerit a Deo perambulare universum orbem, perficiunt quod imperatum est eis:

καὶ νεφέλαις ὅταν ἐπιταγῇ ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπιπορεύεσθαι ἐφ' ὅλην τὴν οἰκουμένην συντελοῦσι τὸ ταχθέν τό τε πῦρ ἐξαποσταλὲν ἄνωθεν ἐξαναλῶσαι ὄρη καὶ δρυμοὺς ποιεῖ τὸ συνταχθέν

The fire also being sent from above to consume mountains, and woods, doth as it is commanded. But these neither in show, nor in power, are alike to any one of them.

ignis etiam missus desuper, ut consumat montes et silvas, facit quod præceptum est ei : hæc autem neque speciebus, neque virtutibus, uni eorum similia sunt.

ταῦτα δὲ οὔτε ταῖς ἰδέαις οὔτε ταῖς δυνάμεσιν αὐτῶν ἀφωμοιωμένα ἐστίν

Wherefore it is neither to be thought, nor to be said, that they are gods: since they are neither able to judge causes, nor to do any good to men.

Unde neque existimandum est, neque dicendum illos esse deos, quando non possunt neque judicium judicare, neque quidquam facere hominibus.

ὅθεν οὔτε νομιστέον οὔτε κλητέον ὑπάρχειν αὐτοὺς θεούς οὐ δυνατῶν ὄντων αὐτῶν οὔτε κρίσιν κρῖναι οὔτε εὖ ποιεῖν ἀνθρώποις

Knowing, therefore, that they are not gods, fear them not.

Scientes itaque quia non sunt dii, ne ergo timueritis eos.

γνόντες οὖν ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς

For neither can they curse kings, nor bless them.

Neque enim regibus maledicent, neque benedicent.

οὔτε γὰρ βασιλεῦσιν οὐ μὴ καταράσωνται οὔτε μὴ εὐλογήσωσι

Neither do they show signs in the heaven to the nations, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.

Signa etiam in cælo gentibus non ostendunt : neque ut sol lucebunt, neque illuminabunt ut luna.

σημεῖά τε ἐν ἔθνεσιν ἐν οὐρανῷ οὐ μὴ δείξωσιν οὐδὲ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος λάμψουσιν οὐδὲ φωτίσουσιν ὡς σελήνη

Beasts are better than they, which can fly under a covert, and help themselves.

Bestiæ meliores sunt illis, quæ possunt fugere sub tectum ac prodesse sibi.

τὰ θηρία ἐστὶν κρείττω αὐτῶν ἃ δύνανται ἐκφυγόντα εἰς σκέπην ἑαυτὰ ὠφελῆσαι

Therefore there is no manner of appearance that they are gods: so fear them not.

Nullo itaque modo nobis est manifestum quia sunt dii : propter quod ne timeatis eos.

κατ' οὐδένα οὖν τρόπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν φανερὸν ὅτι εἰσὶν θεοί διὸ μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς

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

Nam sicut in cucumerario formido nihil custodit, ita sunt dii illorum lignei, et argentei, et inaurati.

ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐν σικυηράτῳ προβασκάνιον οὐδὲν φυλάσσον οὕτως οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν εἰσιν ξύλινοι καὶ περίχρυσοι καὶ περιάργυροι

They are no better than a white thorn in a garden, upon which every bird sitteth. In like manner also their gods of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, are like to a dead body cast forth in the dark.

Eodem modo et in horto spina alba, supra quam omnis avis sedet, similiter et mortuo projecto in tenebris, similes sunt dii illorum lignei, et inaurati, et inargentati.

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

By the purple also and the scarlet which are motheaten upon them, you shall know that they are not gods. And they themselves at last are consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.

A purpura quoque et murice, quæ supra illos tineant, scietis itaque quia non sunt dii : ipsi etiam postremo comeduntur, et erunt opprobrium in regione.

ἀπό τε τῆς πορφύρας καὶ τῆς μαρμάρου τῆς ἐπ' αὐτοῖς σηπομένης γνώσεσθε ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί αὐτά τε ἐξ ὑστέρου βρωθήσονται καὶ ἔσται ὄνειδος ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ

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

Melior est homo justus qui non habet simulacra, nam erit longe ab opprobriis.

κρείσσων οὖν ἄνθρωπος δίκαιος οὐκ ἔχων εἴδωλα ἔσται γὰρ μακρὰν ἀπὸ ὀνειδισμοῦ