Baruch 6
Clementine_Vulgate(i)
1 Propter peccata quæ peccastis ante Deum, abducemini in Babyloniam captivi a Nabuchodonosor rege Babylonis.
2 Ingressi itaque in Babylonem, eritis ibi annis plurimis, et temporibus longis, usque ad generationes septem: post hoc autem educam vos inde cum pace.
3 Nunc autem videbitis in Babylonia deos aureos et argenteos, et lapideos et ligneos, in humeris portari, ostentantes metum gentibus.
4 Videte ergo ne et vos similes efficiamini factis alienis, et metuatis, et metus vos capiat in ipsis.
5 Visa itaque turba de retro et ab ante, adorantes dicite in cordibus vestris: Te oportet adorari, Domine.
6 Angelus enim meus vobiscum est: ipse autem exquiram animas vestras.
7 Nam lingua ipsorum polita a fabro; ipsa etiam inaurata et inargentata: falsa sunt, et non possunt loqui.
8 Et sicut virgini amanti ornamenta, ita accepto auro fabricati sunt.
9 Coronas certe aureas habent super capita sua dii illorum: unde subtrahunt sacerdotes ab eis aurum et argentum, et erogant illud in semetipsos.
10 Dant autem et ex ipso prostitutis, et meretrices ornant: et iterum cum receperint illud a meretricibus, ornant deos suos.
11 Hi autem non liberantur ab ærugine et tinea.
12 Opertis autem illis veste purpurea, extergunt faciem ipsorum propter pulverem domus qui est plurimus inter eos.
13 Sceptrum autem habet ut homo, sicut judex regionis, qui in se peccantem non interficit.
14 Habet etiam in manu gladium et securim, se autem de bello et a latronibus non liberat. Unde vobis notum sit quia non sunt dii:
15 non ergo timueritis eos. Sicut enim vas hominis confractum inutile efficitur, tales sunt et dii illorum.
16 Constitutis illis in domo, oculi eorum pleni sunt pulvere a pedibus introëuntium.
17 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.
18 Lucernas accendunt illis, et quidem multas, ex quibus nullam videre possunt: sunt autem sicut trabes in domo.
19 Corda vero eorum dicunt elingere serpentes qui de terra sunt, dum comedunt eos, et vestimentum ipsorum, et non sentiunt.
20 Nigræ fiunt facies eorum a fumo qui in domo fit.
21 Supra corpus eorum et supra caput eorum volant noctuæ, et hirundines, et aves etiam, similiter et cattæ.
22 Unde sciatis quia non sunt dii: ne ergo timueritis eos.
23 Aurum etiam quod habent ad speciem est: nisi aliquis exterserit æruginem, non fulgebunt: neque enim dum conflarentur, sentiebant.
24 Ex omni pretio empta sunt, in quibus spiritus non inest ipsis.
25 Sine pedibus, in humeris portantur, ostentantes ignobilitatem suam hominibus: confundantur etiam qui colunt ea.
26 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.
27 Hostias illorum vendunt sacerdotes ipsorum, et abutuntur: similiter et mulieres eorum decerpentes, neque infirmo, neque mendicanti, aliquid impertiunt.
28 De sacrificiis eorum fœtæ et menstruatæ contingunt. Sciens itaque ex his quia non sunt dii, ne timeatis eos.
29 Unde enim vocantur dii? quia mulieres apponunt diis argenteis, et aureis, et ligneis:
30 et in domibus eorum sacerdotes sedent habentes tunicas scissas, et capita et barbam rasam, quorum capita nuda sunt.
31 Rugiunt autem clamantes contra deos suos sicut in cœna mortui.
32 Vestimenta eorum auferunt sacerdotes, et vestiunt uxores suas et filios suos.
33 Neque si quid mali patiuntur ab aliquo, neque si quid boni, poterunt retribuere: neque regem constituere possunt, neque auferre.
34 Similiter neque dare divitias possunt, neque malum retribuere. Si quis illis votum voverit et non reddiderit, neque hoc requirunt.
35 Hominem a morte non liberant, neque infirmum a potentiori eripiunt.
36 Hominem cæcum ad visum non restituunt; de necessitate hominem non liberabunt.
37 Viduæ non miserebuntur, neque orphanis benefacient.
38 Lapidibus de monte similes sunt dii illorum, lignei, et lapidei, et aurei, et argentei: qui autem colunt ea, confundentur.
39 Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut dicendum illos esse deos?
40 Adhuc enim ipsis Chaldæis non honorantibus ea: qui cum audierint mutum non posse loqui, offerunt illud ad Bel, postulantes ab eo loqui:
41 quasi possint sentire qui non habent motum! Et ipsi, cum intellexerint, relinquent ea: sensum enim non habent ipsi dii illorum.
42 Mulieres autem circumdatæ funibus in viis sedent, succendentes ossa olivarum:
43 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.
44 Omnia autem quæ illi fiunt, falsa sunt: quomodo æstimandum aut dicendum est illos esse deos?
45 A fabris autem et ab aurificibus facta sunt: nihil aliud erunt, nisi id quod volunt esse sacerdotes.
46 Artifices etiam ipsi, qui ea faciunt, non sunt multi temporis: numquid ergo possunt ea, quæ fabricata sunt ab ipsis, esse dii?
47 Reliquerunt autem falsa et opprobrium postea futuris.
48 Nam cum supervenerit illis prælium et mala, cogitant sacerdotes apud se ubi se abscondant cum illis.
49 Quomodo ergo sentiri debeant quoniam dii sunt, qui nec de bello se liberant, neque de malis se eripiunt?
50 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.
51 Unde ergo notum est quia non sunt dii, sed opera manuum hominum, et nullum Dei opus in ipsis est.
52 Regem regioni non suscitant, neque pluviam hominibus dabunt.
53 Judicium quoque non discernent, neque regiones liberabunt ab injuria, quia nihil possunt, sicut corniculæ inter medium cæli et terræ.
54 Etenim cum inciderit ignis in domum deorum ligneorum, argenteorum et aureorum, sacerdotes quidem ipsorum fugient, et liberabuntur: ipsi vero sicut trabes in medio comburentur.
55 Regi autem et bello non resistent. Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut recipiendum quia dii sunt?
56 Non a furibus, neque a latronibus se liberabunt dii lignei, et lapidei, et inaurati, et inargentati: quibus hi qui fortiores sunt,
57 aurum et argentum, et vestimentum quo operti sunt, auferent illis, et abibunt, nec sibi auxilium ferent.
58 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.
59 Sol quidem et luna ac sidera, cum sint splendida et emissa ad utilitates, obaudiunt:
60 similiter et fulgur cum apparuerit, perspicuum est: idipsum autem et spiritus in omni regione spirat:
61 et nubes, quibus cum imperatum fuerit a Deo perambulare universum orbem, perficiunt quod imperatum est eis:
62 ignis etiam missus desuper, ut consumat montes et silvas, facit quod præceptum est ei: hæc autem neque speciebus, neque virtutibus, uni eorum similia sunt.
63 Unde neque existimandum est, neque dicendum illos esse deos, quando non possunt neque judicium judicare, neque quidquam facere hominibus.
64 Scientes itaque quia non sunt dii, ne ergo timueritis eos.
65 Neque enim regibus maledicent, neque benedicent.
66 Signa etiam in cælo gentibus non ostendunt: neque ut sol lucebunt, neque illuminabunt ut luna.
67 Bestiæ meliores sunt illis, quæ possunt fugere sub tectum ac prodesse sibi.
68 Nullo itaque modo nobis est manifestum quia sunt dii: propter quod ne timeatis eos.
69 Nam sicut in cucumerario formido nihil custodit, ita sunt dii illorum lignei, et argentei, et inaurati.
70 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.
71 A purpura quoque et murice, quæ supra illos tineant, scietis itaque quia non sunt dii: ipsi etiam postremo comeduntur, et erunt opprobrium in regione.
72 Melior est homo justus qui non habet simulacra, nam erit longe ab opprobriis.
Geneva(i)
1 Because of the sinnes, that ye haue committed against God, yee shall be led away captiues vnto Babylon, by Nabuchodonosor, King of the Babylonians.
2 So when ye be come into Babylon, yee shall remaine there many yeeres, and a long season, euen seuen generations, and after that will I bring you away peaceablie from thence.
3 Now shal ye see in Babylon gods of siluer, and of gold, and of wood, borne vpon mens shoulders, to cause the people to feare.
4 Beware therefore that yee in no wise be like the strangers, neither be ye afraid of them, when ye see the multitude before them and behinde them worshipping them,
5 But say ye in your hearts, O Lorde, we must worship thee.
6 For mine Angell shall be with you, and shall care for your soules.
7 As for their tongue, it is polished by the carpenter, & they them selues are gilted, and laide ouer with siluer: yet are they but lies, and can not speake.
8 And as they take golde for a maide that loueth to be deckt,
9 So make they crownes for the heads of their gods: sometimes also the Priests themselues conuey away the golde, and siluer from their gods, and bestowe it vpon themselues.
10 Yea, they giue of the same vnto the harlots, that are in their houses: againe, they decke these gods of siluer, and gods of golde, and of wood with garments like men,
11 Yet can not they be preserued from rust and wormes,
12 Though they haue couered them with clothing of purple, and wipe their faces because of the dust of the Temple, whereof there is much vpon them.
13 One holdeth a scepter, as though he were a certaine iudge of the countrey: yet can he not slaie such as offend him.
14 Another hath a dagger or an axe in his right hande: yet is he not able to defende him selfe from battell, nor from theeues: so then it is euident, that they be no gods.
15 Therefore feare them not: for as vessel that a man vseth, is nothing worth when it is broken:
16 Such are their gods: when they be set vp in their temples their eyes be full of dust by reason of the feete of those that come in.
17 And as the gates are shut in rounde about vpon him that hath offended the King: or as one that shoulde be ledde to be put to death: so the priestes keepe their temples with doores, and with lockes, and with barres, least their gods shoulde be spoyled by robbers.
18 They light vp candles before them, yea, more then for them selues, whereof they can not see one: for they are but as one of the postes of the temple.
19 They confesse, that euen their hearts are gnawen vpon: but when the things, that creepe out of the earth, eate them and their clothes, they feele it not.
20 Their faces are blacke through the smoke that is in the temple.
21 The owles, swalowes & birdes flie vpon their bodies, & vpon their heades, yea, and the cattes also.
22 By this yee may be sure, that they are not gods: therefore feare them not.
23 Notwithstanding the golde, that is about them to make them beautifull, except one wipe of the rust, they cannot shine: neither when they were molten, did they feele it.
24 The things wherein is no breath, are bought for a most high price.
25 They are borne vpon mens shoulders, because they haue no feete, whereby they declare vnto men, that they be nothing woorth: yea, and they that worship them, are ashamed.
26 For if they fall to the grounde at any time, they can not rise vp againe of themselues, neither if one set them vp right, can they mooue of them selues, neither if they be bowed downe, can they make them selues streight: but they set gifts before them, as vnto dead men.
27 As for the things that are offered vnto them, their Priests sell them, and abuse them: likewise also the women lay vp of the same: but vnto the poore and sicke they giue nothing.
28 The menstruous women, and they that are in childbed, touch their sacrifices: by these things ye may knowe that they are no gods: feare them not.
29 From whence commeth it then, that they are called gods? because the women bring giftes to the gods of siluer, and golde, and wood.
30 And the priestes sit in their temples, hauing their clothes rent, whose heades and beards are shauen, and being bare headed,
31 They roare, and cry before their gods, as men doe at the feast of one that is dead.
32 The priests also take away of their garments, and clothe their wiues and children.
33 Whether it be euil that one doeth vnto them or good, they are not able to recompence it: they can neither set vp a King nor put him downe.
34 In like maner they can neither giue riches, nor money: though a man make a vowe vnto them and keepe it not, they will not require it.
35 They can saue no man from death, neither deliuer the weake from the mightie.
36 They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor helpe any man at his neede.
37 They can shewe no mercy to the widdowe, nor doe good to the fatherlesse.
38 Their gods of wood, golde, and siluer, are as stones, that bee hewen out of the mountaine, and they that worship them, shall be confounded.
39 Howe shoulde a man then thinke or say that they are Gods?
40 Moreouer the Chaldeans them selues dishonour them: for when they see a domme man, that can not speake, they present him to Bel,
41 And desire that hee woulde make him to speake, as though he had any feeling: yet they that vnderstande these thinges, can not leaue them: for they also haue no sense.
42 Furthermore the wome, girded with coards, sitte in the streetes, and burne strawe.
43 And if one of them be drawen away, and lie with any such as come by, shee casteth her neighbour in the teeth, because shee was not so worthily reputed, nor her coarde broken.
44 Whatsoeuer is done among them, is lies: how may it then be thought or saide, that they are gods?
45 Carpenters and goldsmithes make them, neither be they any other thing, but euen what the workeman will make them.
46 Yea, they that make them, are of no long cotinuance: how should then the things that are made of them, be gods?
47 Therefore they leaue lies, and shame for their posteritie.
48 For when there cometh any warre or plague vpon them, the Priestes imagine with them selues, where they may hide themselues with them.
49 Howe then can men not perceiue, that they be no gods, which can neither defende themselues, from warre nor from plagues:
50 For seeing they be but of wood, and of siluer, and of golde, men shall knowe hereafter that they are but lies, and it shall be manifest to all nations & Kings, that they be no gods, but the workes of mens handes, and that there is no woorke of God in them.
51 Whereby it may be knowen, that they are no gods.
52 They can set vp no King in the lande, nor giue raine vnto men.
53 They can giue no sentence of a matter, neither preserue from iniurie: they haue no power, but are as crowes betweene the heauen and the earth.
54 When there falleth a fire vpon the house of those gods of wood, and of siluer, and of golde, the priestes will escape and saue them selues, but they burne as the balkes therein.
55 They cannot wtstand any King or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?
56 Moreouer these gods of wood, of golde, and of siluer can neither defed themselues from theeues nor robbers.
57 For they that are strongest, take away their golde and siluer, and apparell, wherewith they be clothed: and when they haue it, they get them away, yet can they not helpe themselues.
58 Therefore it is better to be a King, and so to shewe his power, or els a profitable vessell in an house, whereby hee that oweth it, might haue profite, then such false gods: or to bee a doore in an house, to keepe such thinges safe as be therein, then such false gods: or a pillar of wood in a palace, then such false gods.
59 For the sunne, and the moone, & the starres that shine, when they are sent downe for necessarie vses, obey.
60 Likewise also the lightning, when it shineth, it is euident: and the winde bloweth in euery countrey.
61 And when God commandeth the cloudes to go about ye whole world, they do as they are bidden.
62 When the fire is sent downe from aboue to destroy hilles and woodes, it doeth that which is commaunded: but these are not like any of these things, neither in forme, nor power.
63 Wherefore men should not thinke, nor say that they be goddes, seeing they can neither giue sentence in iudgement, nor doe men good.
64 For so much nowe as yee are sure, that they be no gods, feare them not.
65 For they can neither curse, nor blesse Kings:
66 Neither can they shewe signes in the heauen among the heathen, neither shine as the moone.
67 The beastes are better then they: for they ca get them vnder a couert, & do themselues good.
68 So yee may bee certified that by no maner of, meanes, they are gods: therefore feare them not.
69 For as a skarcrowe in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing, so are their goddes of wood, and of siluer, and of golde:
70 And likewise their gods of wood, and golde and siluer are like to a white thorne in an orcharde, that euery birde sitteth vpon, and as a deade bodie that is cast in the darke.
71 By the purple also and brightnesse, which fadeth vpon them, yee may vnderstande, that they be no gods: yea, they themselues shall be consumed at the last, and they shall be a shame to the countrey.
72 Better therefore is the iust man, that hath none idoles: for he shalbe farre from reproofe.
Bishops(i)
1 Because of the sinnes that ye haue done against God, ye shalbe led away captiue vnto Babylon, euen of Nabuchodonozor the king of Babylon.
2 So when ye be come into Babylon, ye shall remayne there many yeres, and for a long season, [namely] seuen generations: and after that will I bring you away peaceably from thence.
3 Nowe shall ye see in Babylon gods of golde, of siluer, of wood, and of stone, borne vpon mens shoulders, to cast out a fearfulnesse before the heathen.
4 But loke that ye do not as the other: be not ye afraide, & let not the feare of them ouercome you.
5 Therfore when ye see the multitude of people worshipping them behynde and before, say ye in your heartes: O Lorde, it is thou that oughtest only to be worshipped.
6 Myne angell also shalbe with you, and I my selfe will care for your soules.
7 As for the timber of those gods, the carpenter hath pullished them: yea gilted be they and layed ouer with siluer, yet are they but vayne thinges, and can not speake.
8 Like as a wench that loueth paramours is trimly dect: euen so are these made and hanged with golde.
9 Crownes of golde veryly haue their gods vpon their heades: so the priestes them selues take golde and siluer from them, and put it to their owne vses:
10 Yea they geue of the same vnto harlottes, & trimme their whores withall: againe, they take it from the whores, and decke their gods therwith:
11 Yet can not these gods deliuer them selues from rust and mothes.
12 When they haue couered them with clothing of purple, they wype their faces for the dust of the temple, whereof there is much among them.
13 One hath a scepter in his hande as though he were iudge of the countrey, yet can he not slay such as offende hym.
14 An other hath a sworde or an axe in his hand: for al that, he is neither able to defende hym selfe from battayle, nor from murtherers.
15 By this ye may vnderstande, that they be no gods: therefore see that ye neither worship them, nor feare them.
16 For like as a vessell that a man vseth, is nothing worth when it is broken, euen so is it with their gods: When they be set vp in the temple, their eyes be ful of dust thorowe the feete of those that come in.
17 And like as the doores are shut in round about vpon hym that hath offended the king, or as it were a dead body kept beside the graue: Euen so, the priestes kepe the doores with barres & lockes, lest their gods be spoyled with robbers.
18 They set vp candels before them, yea veryly and that many, wherof they can not see one: but euen as blockes, so stande they in the temple.
19 It is sayd, that the serpentes & wormes whiche come of the earth gnawe out their hartes, eating them & their clothes also, and yet they feele it not.
20 Their faces are blacke, thorowe the smoke that is in the temple.
21 The owles, swalowes, and byrdes flee vpon them, yea and the cattes run ouer their heades.
22 By this ye may be sure that they are not gods, therfore feare them not.
23 The golde that they haue is to make them beautifull: for all that, except some body dight of their rust they wil geue no shine, and when they were cast into a fourme, they felt it not.
24 They are bought for money, and haue no breath of lyfe within them.
25 They must be borne vpon mens shoulders as those that haue no feete, wherby they declare vnto men that they be nothing worth: confounded be they then that worship them.
26 For if they fall to the ground, they can not rise vp againe of them selues: Yea though one helpe them vp and set them right, yet are they not able to stande alone, but must haue proppes set vnder them like dead men.
27 As for the thing that is offred vnto them, their priestes sell it, & abuse it, yea the priestes wyues take thereof: but vnto the sicke & poore they geue nothing of it.
28 The women with childe and the menstruous lay handes of their offringes: By this ye may be sure that they are no gods, therefore be not ye afrayde of them.
29 From whence commeth it then that they be called gods? the women sit before the gods of siluer, golde, and wood,
30 And the priestes sit in their temples, hauing open clothes, whose heades and beardes are shauen, and haue nothing vpon their heades,
31 Roaring and crying vpon their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.
32 The priestes also take away the garmentes of the images, and decke their wyues and children withall.
33 Whether it be good or euyll that any man do vnto them, they are not able to recompence it: they can neither set vp a king, nor put him downe.
34 In like maner, they may neither geue riches, nor rewarde euyll: though a man make a vow vnto them and kepe it not, they will not require it.
35 They can saue no man from death, neither deliuer the weake from the mightie.
36 They can not restore a blind man to his sight, nor helpe any man at his neede.
37 They can shewe no mercie to the widdowe, nor do good to the fatherlesse.
38 Their gods of wood, stone, golde, and siluer, are but euen as other stones that be hewen of the mountayne: they that worship them, shalbe confounded.
39 Howe shoulde they then be taken for gods? yea howe dare men call them gods?
40 And though the Chaldees worshipped them not, hearing that they were but dombe and coulde not speake:
41 Yet they them selues offer vnto Bel, and woulde fayne haue hym to speake: as who say they coulde feele, that may not moue.
42 But when these men come to vnderstanding, they shall forsake them, for their gods haue no feeling.
43 A great sort of women girde with coardes, sit in the streetes, & burne oliue beries: Now if one of them be conueyed away, and lye with such as come by, she casteth her neyghbours in the teeth, because she was not worthyly reputed, nor her coarde broken.
44 What so euer is done for them, it is but in vayne and lost: Howe may it then be thought or sayde, that they are gods?
45 Carpenters and goldesmithes make them: neither be they any other thing, but euen what the workemen wil make of them.
46 Yea the goldsmithes them selues that make them are of no long continuaunce: howe shoulde then the thinges that are made of them, be gods?
47 Uayne therfore are the thinges, yea very shame is it that they leaue behinde them for their posteritie.
48 For assoone as there commeth any warre or plague vpon them, then the priestes imagine where they may hyde them selues with them.
49 Howe can men thinke then that they be gods, whiche neither may defende them selues from warre, nor deliuer them from misfortune?
50 For seyng they be but of wood, of stone, of siluer, and of golde, all people and kinges shall knowe hereafter that they be but vayne thinges: yea it shalbe openly declared that they be no gods, but euen the very workes of mens handes, and that God hath nothing to do with them.
51 It is manifest then that they are no gods, but the workes of mens handes, and no worke of God in them.
52 They can set no king in the lande, nor geue rayne vnto men.
53 They can geue no sentence of a matter, neither defende the lande from wrong: for they are not able to do so much as a crowe that fleeth betwixt heauen and earth.
54 When there happeneth a fire into the house of those gods of wood, and siluer, and of golde, the priestes will escape and saue them selues, but the gods burne as the balkes therin.
55 They can not withstande any king or battell: howe may it then be thought or graunted that they be gods?
56 Moreouer, these gods of wood, of stone, of gold and siluer, may neither defend them selues from theeues nor robbers:
57 Yea the very wicked are stronger then they: these stryp them out of their apparell that they be clothed withall, these take their golde and siluer from them, & so get them away, yet can they not helpe them selues.
58 Therfore it is much better for a man to be a king, and so to shewe his power, or els a profitable vessell in a house, wherin he that oweth it might haue pleasure, yea or to be a doore in a house, to kepe such thinges safe as be therein: then to be such a vayne god.
59 The sunne, the moone, & al the starres, seing they geue their shine and light, are obedient, and do men good.
60 When the lightning glistreth, all is cleare.
61 The winde bloweth in euery countrey: & when God commaundeth the cloudes to go rounde about the whole worlde, they do as they are bidden.
62 When the fire is sent downe from aboue and commaunded, it burneth vp hilles & woodes: but as for those gods, they are not like one of these thinges, neither in beautie, neither in strength.
63 Wherfore, men shoulde not thinke nor say that they be gods, seing they can neither geue sentence in iudgement, nor do men good.
64 Forsomuch nowe as ye are sure that they be no gods, then feare them not:
65 For they can neither speake euyll nor good of kinges.
66 They can shew no tokens in heauens for the heathen, neither shyne as the sunne, nor geue light as the moone:
67 Yea the vnreasonable beastes are better then they: for they can get them vnder the roofe, and do them selues good.
68 So can ye be certified by no maner of meanes that they be gods, therefore feare them not.
69 For like as a scarcrowe in a garden of hearbes kepeth nothing: euen so are their gods of wood, of siluer, and golde.
70 And like as a white thorne in an orcharde that euery byrd sitteth vpon, yea lyke as a dead body that is cast in the darke: euen so is it with those gods of wood, siluer, and golde.
71 By the purple & scarlet which they haue vpon them and soone faydeth away, ye may vnderstande that they be no gods: yea they them selues shall be consumed at the last, whiche shalbe a great confusion of the lande.
72 Blessed is the godly man that hath no images and worshippeth none: for he shalbe farre from reproofe.
DouayRheims(i)
1 For the sins that you have committed before God, you shall be carried away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon.
1 A copy of the epistle that Jeremias sent to them that were to be led away captives into Babylon, by the king of Babylon, to declare to them according to what was commanded him by God.
2 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.
3 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.
4 Beware therefore that you imitate not the doings of others, and be afraid, and the fear of them should seize upon you.
5 But when you see the multitude behind, and before, adoring them, say you in your hearts: Thou oughtest to be adored, O Lord.
6 For my angel is with you: And I myself will demand an account of your souls.
7 For their tongue that is polished by the craftsman, and themselves laid over with gold and silver, are false things, and they cannot speak.
8 And as if it were for a maiden that loveth to go gay: so do they take gold and make them up.
9 Their gods have golden crowns upon their heads: whereof the priests secretly convey away from them gold, and silver, and bestow it on themselves.
10 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.
11 And these gods cannot defend themselves from the rust, and the moth.
12 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.
13 This holdeth a sceptre as a man, as a judge of the country, but cannot put to death one that offendeth him.
14 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.
15 Therefore fear them not. For as a vessel that a man uses when it is broken becometh useless, even so are their gods:
16 When they are placed in the house, their eyes are full of dust by the feet of them that go in.
17 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.
18 They light candles to them, and in great number, of which they cannot see one: but they are like beams in the house.
19 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.
20 Their faces are black with the smoke that is made in the house.
21 Owls, and swallows, and other birds fly upon their bodies, and upon their heads, and cats in like manner.
22 Whereby you may know that they are no gods. Therefore fear them not.
23 The gold also which they have, is for shew, but except a man wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten, did they feel it.
24 Men buy them at a high price, whereas there is no breath in them.
25 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.
26 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.
27 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.
28 The childbearing and menstruous women touch their sacrifices: knowing therefore by these things that they are not gods, fear them not.
29 For how can they be called gods? because women set offerings before the gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood:
30 And priests sit in their temples, having their garments rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.
31 And they roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.
32 The priests take away their garments, and clothe their wives and their children.
33 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:
34 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.
35 They cannot deliver a man from death nor save the weak from the mighty.
36 They cannot restore the blind man to his sight: nor deliver a man from distress.
37 They shall not pity the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.
38 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.
39 How then is it to be supposed, or to be said, that they are gods?
40 Even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them: who when they hear of one dumb that cannot speak, they present him to Bel, entreating him, that he may speak,
41 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.
42 The women also with cords about them, sit in the ways, burning olive stones.
43 And when any one of them, drawn away by some passenger, lieth with him, she upbraideth her neighbour, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.
44 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?
45 And they are made by workmen, and by goldsmiths. They shall be nothing else but what the priests will have them to be.
46 For the artificers themselves that make them, are of no long continuance. Can those things then that are made by them be gods?
47 But they have left false things and reproach to them that come after.
48 For when war cometh upon them, or evils, the priests consult with themselves where they may hide themselves with them.
49 How then can they be thought to be gods, that can neither deliver themselves from war, nor save themselves from evils?
50 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.
51 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?
52 They cannot set up a king over the land, nor give rain to men.
53 They determine no causes, nor deliver countries from oppression; because they can do nothing, and are as daws between heaven and earth.
54 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.
55 And they cannot withstand a king and war. How then can it be supposed, or admitted that they are gods?
56 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
57 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.
58 Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth 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.
59 The sun, and the moon, and the stars being bright, and sent forth for profitable uses, are obedient.
60 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 And the clouds when God commandeth them to go over the whole world, do that which is commanded them.
62 The fire also being sent from above to consume mountains and woods, doth as it is commanded. But these neither in shew, nor in power are like to any one of them.
63 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.
64 Knowing therefore that they are not gods, fear them not.
65 For neither can they curse kings, nor bless them.
66 Neither do they shew signs in the heaven to the nations, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.
67 Beasts are better than they, which can fly under a covert, and help themselves.
68 Therefore there is no manner of appearance that they are gods: so fear them not.
69 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.
70 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.
71 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.
72 Better therefore is the just man that hath no idols: for he shall be far from reproach.
ERV(i)
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.
2 Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives unto Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.
3 So when ye come unto Babylon, ye shall remain there many years, and for a long season, even for seven generations: and after that I will bring you out peaceably from thence.
4 But now shall ye see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.
5 Beware therefore that ye in no wise become like unto the strangers, neither let fear take hold upon you because of them, when ye see the multitude before them and behind them, worshipping them.
6 But say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee.
7 For mine angel is with you, and I myself do care for your souls.
8 For their tongue is polished by the workman, and they themselves are overlaid with gold and with silver; yet are they but false, and cannot speak.
9 And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loveth to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods:
10 and sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves;
11 and will even give thereof to the common harlots: and they deck them as men with garments, [even] the gods of silver, and gods of gold, and of wood.
12 Yet cannot these gods save themselves from rust and moths, though they be covered with purple raiment.
13 They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, which is thick upon them.
14 And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth against him holdeth a sceptre, as though he were judge of a country.
15 He hath also a dagger in his right hand, and an axe: but cannot deliver himself from war and robbers.
16 Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.
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 temples their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in.
18 And as the courts 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 they be carried off by robbers.
19 They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof they cannot see one.
20 They are as one of the beams of the temple; and men say their hearts are eaten out, when things creeping out of the earth devour both them and their raiment: they feel it not
21 when their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple:
22 upon their bodies and heads alight bats, swallows, and birds; and in like manner the cats also.
23 Whereby ye may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.
24 Notwithstanding the gold wherewith they are beset to make them beautiful, except one wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for not even when they were molten did they feel it.
25 Things wherein there is no breath are bought at any cost.
26 Having no feet, they are borne upon shoulders, whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth.
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 they be set awry, can they make themselves straight: but the offerings are set before them, as if they were dead men.
28 And the things that are sacrificed unto them, their priests sell and spend; and in like manner their wives also lay up part thereof in salt; but unto the poor and to the impotent will they give nothing thereof.
29 The menstruous woman and the woman in childbed touch their sacrifices: knowing therefore by these things that they are no gods, fear them not.
30 For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.
31 And in their temples the priests sit on seats, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.
32 They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.
33 The priests also take off garments from them, and clothe their wives and children withal.
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.
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 never exact it.
36 They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.
37 They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor deliver any that is in distress.
38 They can shew no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.
39 They are like the stones that be [hewn] out of the mountain, [these gods] of wood, and that are overlaid with gold and with silver: they that minister unto them shall be confounded.
40 How should a man then think or say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them?
41 Who if they shall see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and intreat him to call upon Bel, as though he were able to understand.
42 Yet they cannot perceive this themselves, and forsake them: for they have no understanding.
43 The women also with cords about them sit in the ways, burning bran for incense: 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.
44 Whatsoever is done among them is false: how should a man then think or say that they are gods?
45 They are fashioned by carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.
46 And they themselves that fashioned them can never continue long; how then should the things that are fashioned by them?
47 For they have left lies and reproaches to them that come after.
48 For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.
49 How then cannot men understand that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?
50 For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:
51 and it shall be manifest 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.
52 Who then may not know that they are no gods?
53 For neither can they set up a king in a land, nor give rain unto men.
54 Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.
55 For even when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or overlaid with gold or with silver, their priests will flee away, and escape, but they themselves shall be burnt asunder like beams.
56 Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how should a man then allow or think that they be gods?
57 Neither are those gods of wood, and overlaid with silver or with gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.
58 Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong will take from them, and go away withal: neither shall they be able to help themselves.
59 Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his manhood, or else a vessel in a house profitable for that whereof the owner shall have need, than such false gods; or even a door in a house, to keep the things safe that be therein, than such false gods; or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.
60 For sun, and moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.
61 Likewise also the lightning when it glittereth is fair to see; and after the same manner the wind also bloweth in every country.
62 And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.
63 And the fire sent from above to consume mountains and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are to be likened unto them neither in shew nor power.
64 Wherefore a man should neither think nor say that they are gods, seeing they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men.
65 Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not.
66 For they can neither curse nor bless kings:
67 neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the nations, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.
68 The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a covert, and help themselves.
69 In no wise then is it manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.
70 For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers that keepeth nothing, so are their gods of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver.
71 Likewise also their gods of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is cast forth into the dark.
72 And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon them: And they themselves afterward shall be consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.
73 Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach.
WEB(i)
1 A copy of a letter, which Jeremy sent to 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.
2 Because of the sins which you° have committed before God, you° shall be led away captives to Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.
3 So when you° come to Babylon, you° shall remain there many years, and for a long season, even for seven generations: and after that I will bring you out peaceably from thence.
4 But now shall you° see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.
5 Beware therefore that you° in no wise become like to the strangers, neither let fear take hold upon you because of them, when you° see the multitude before them and behind them, worshiping them.
6 But say you° in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship you.
7 For my angel is with you, and I myself do care for your souls.
8 For their tongue is polished by the workman, and they themselves are overlaid with gold and with silver; yet are they but false, and can’t speak.
9 And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loves to be happy, they make crowns for the heads of their gods:
10 and sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves;
11 and will even give thereof to the common prostitutes: and they deck them as men with garments, [even ] the gods of silver, and gods of gold, and of wood.
12 Yet can’t these gods save themselves from rust and moths, though they be covered with purple raiment.
13 They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, which is thick upon them.
14 And he that can’t put to death one that offends against him holds a sceptre, as though he were judge of a country.
15 He has also a dagger in his right hand, and an axe: but can’t deliver himself from war and robbers.
16 Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.
17 For like as a vessel that a man uses is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their gods: when they be set up in the temples their eyes be full of dust through the feet of those who come in.
18 And as the courts are made sure on every side upon him that offends the king, as being committed to suffer death; [even so ] the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest they be carried off by robbers.
19 They light them candles, yes, more than for themselves, whereof they can’t see one.
20 They are as one of the beams of the temple; and men say their hearts are eaten out, when things creeping out of the earth devour both them and their raiment: they feel it not
21 when their faces are blackened through the smoke that comes out of the temple:
22 bats, swallows, and birds land on their bodies and heads; and in like manner the cats also.
23 Whereby you° may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.
24 Notwithstanding the gold wherewith they are beset to make them beautiful, except one wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for not even when they were molten did they feel it.
25 Things wherein there is no breath are bought at any cost.
26 Having no feet, they are borne upon shoulders, whereby they declare to men that they be nothing worth.
27 They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they can’t rise up again of themselves: neither, if they are bowed down, can they make themselves straight: but the offerings are set before them, as if they were dead men.
28 And the things that are sacrificed to them, their priests sell and spend; and in like manner their wives also lay up part thereof in salt; but to the poor and to the impotent they will give nothing thereof.
29 The menstruous woman and the woman in childbed touch their sacrifices: knowing therefore by these things that they are no gods, fear them not.
30 For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.
31 And in their temples the priests sit on seats, having their clothes tore, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.
32 They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.
33 The priests also take off garments from them, and clothe their wives and children withal.
34 Whether it be evil that one does to them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set up a king, nor put him down.
35 In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money: though a man make a vow to them, and keep it not, they will never exact it.
36 They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.
37 They can’t restore a blind man to his sight, nor deliver any that is in distress.
38 They can show no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.
39 They are like the stones that be [hewn ] out of the mountain, [these gods ] of wood, and that are overlaid with gold and with silver: those who minister to them shall be confounded.
40 How should a man then think or say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them?
41 Who if they shall see one mute that can’t speak, they bring him, and entreat him to call upon Bel, as though he were able to understand.
42 Yet they can’t perceive this themselves, and forsake them: for they have no understanding.
43 The women also with cords about them sit in the ways, burning bran for incense: but if any of them, drawn by some that passes by, lie with him, she reproaches her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.
44 Whatsoever is done among them is false: how should a man then think or say that they are gods?
45 They are fashioned by carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.
46 And they themselves that fashioned them can never continue long; how then should the things that are fashioned by them?
47 For they have left lies and reproaches to those who come after.
48 For when there comes any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.
49 How then can’t men understand that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?
50 For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:
51 and it shall be manifest 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.
52 Who then may not know that they are no gods?
53 For neither can they set up a king in a land, nor give rain to men.
54 Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.
55 For even when fire falls upon the house of gods of wood, or overlaid with gold or with silver, their priests will flee away, and escape, but they themselves shall be burned apart like beams.
56 Moreover they can’t withstand any king or enemies: how should a man then allow or think that they be gods?
57 Neither are those gods of wood, and overlaid with silver or with gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.
58 Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong will take from them, and go away withal: neither shall they be able to help themselves.
59 Therefore it is better to be a king that shows his manhood, or else a vessel in a house profitable for that whereof the owner shall have need, than such false gods; or even a door in a house, to keep the things safe that be therein, than such false gods; or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.
60 For sun, and moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.
61 Likewise also the lightning when it glitters is fair to see; and after the same manner the wind also blows in every country.
62 And when God commands the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are told.
63 And the fire sent from above to consume mountains and woods does as it is commanded: but these are to be likened to them neither in show nor power.
64 Wherefore a man should neither think nor say that they are gods, seeing they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good to men.
65 Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not.
66 For they can neither curse nor bless kings:
67 neither can they show signs in the heavens among the nations, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.
68 The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a covert, and help themselves.
69 In no wise then is it manifest to us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.
70 For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers that keeps nothing, so are their gods of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver.
71 Likewise also their gods of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sits upon; as also to a dead body, that is cast forth into the dark.
72 And you° shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rots upon them: And they themselves afterward shall be consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.
73 Better therefore is the just man that has none idols: for he shall be far from reproach.