Baruch, 6

1. 'Because of the sins which you have committed before God you are to be deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of the Babylonians.

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. Once you have reached Babylon you will stay there for many years, as long as seven generations; after which I shall bring you home in peace.

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.

3. Now in Babylon you will see gods made of silver, of gold, of wood, being carried shoulder-high, and filling the gentiles with fear.

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.

4. Be on your guard! Do not imitate the foreigners, do not have any fear of their gods

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.

5. as you see their worshippers prostrating themselves before and behind them. Instead, say in your hearts, "Master, it is you that we must worship."

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

6. For my angel is with you; your lives will be in his care.

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

7. 'Overlaid with gold and silver, their tongues polished smooth by a craftsman, they are counterfeit and have no power to speak.

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

8. As though for a girl fond of finery, these people take gold and make crowns for the heads of their gods.

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

9. And sometimes, the priests filch gold and silver from their gods to spend on themselves, even giving some of it to the prostitutes on the terrace.

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. They dress up these gods of silver, gold and wood, in clothes, like human beings; on their own they cannot protect themselves from either tarnish or woodworm;

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

11. when they have been dressed in purple cloaks, their faces have to be dusted, because of the temple dust which settles thick on them.

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.

12. One holds a sceptre like the governor of a province, yet is powerless to put to death anyone who offends him;

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

13. another holds sword and mace in his right hand, yet is powerless to defend himself against war or thieves.

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

14. From this it is evident that they are not gods; do not be afraid of them.

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

15. 'Just as a pot in common use becomes useless once it is broken, so are these gods enshrined inside their temples.

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

16. Their eyes are full of dust raised by the feet of those who enter.

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

17. Just as the doors are locked on all sides on someone who has offended a king and is under sentence of death, so the priests secure the temples of these gods with gates and bolts and bars for fear of burglary.

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.

18. They light more lamps for them than they do for themselves, and the gods see none of them.

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.

19. They are like one of the temple beams, which are said to be gnawed away from within; the termites creep out of the ground and eat them and their clothes too, and they feel nothing.

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

20. Their faces are blackened by the smoke that rises from the temple.

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.

21. Bats, swallows, birds of every kind perch on their bodies and heads, and so do cats.

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

22. From this, you can see for yourselves that they are not gods; do not be afraid of them.

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

23. 'The gold with which they are parading their futility before the world is supposed to make them look beautiful, but if someone does not rub off the tarnish, these gods will not be shining much on their own, and even while they were being cast, they felt nothing.

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

24. However much was paid for them, there is still no breath of life in them.

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.

25. Being unable to walk, they have to be carried on men's shoulders, which shows how futile they are. It is humiliating for their worshippers, too, who have to stand them up again if they fall over.

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

26. Once they have been stood up, they cannot move on their own; if they tilt askew, they cannot right themselves; offerings made to them might as well be made to the dead.

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

27. Whatever is sacrificed to them, the priests re-sell and pocket the profit; while their wives salt down part of it, but give nothing to the poor or to the helpless. As to the sacrifices themselves, why, women during their periods and women in childbed are not afraid to touch them!

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.

28. From all this you can tell that they are not gods; do not be afraid of them.

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.

29. 'Indeed, how can they even be called gods, when women do the offering to these gods of silver, gold and wood?

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

30. In their temples, the priests stay sitting down, their garments torn, heads and beard shaved and heads uncovered;

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

31. they roar and shriek before their gods as people do at funeral feasts.

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

32. The priests take robes from the gods to clothe their own wives and children.

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

33. Whether these gods are treated badly or well, they are incapable of paying back either treatment; as incapable too of making or unmaking kings,

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

34. equally incapable of distributing wealth or money. If anyone fails to honour a vow he has made to them, they cannot call him to account.

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. They can neither save anyone from death nor rescue the weak from the strong,

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.

36. nor restore sight to the blind, nor save anyone in trouble,

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

37. nor take pity on a widow, nor be generous to an orphan.

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

38. These wooden gods overlaid with gold and silver are about as much use as rocks cut out of the mountain side. Their worshippers will be confounded!

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

39. So how can anyone think or say that they are gods?

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.

40. 'The Chaldaeans themselves do them no honour; if they find someone who is dumb and cannot speak, they present him to Bel, entreating him for the gift of speech, as though he could perceive it!

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

41. And they are incapable of drawing the conclusion and abandoning those gods -- such is their lack of perception.

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.

42. Women with strings round their waists sit in the streets, burning bran like incense;

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

43. when one of these has been picked up by a passer-by and been to bed with him, she then gloats over her neighbour for not having been thought as worthy as herself and for not having had her string broken.

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.

44. Whatever is done for them is spurious. So how can anyone think or say that they are gods?

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

45. 'Made by woodworkers and goldsmiths, they are only what those workmen decide to make them.

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

46. Their makers have not long to live themselves, so how can the things they make be gods?

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

47. Their legacy to their descendants is nothing but delusion and dishonour.

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

48. If war or disasters befall them, the priests discuss where best to hide themselves and these gods;

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 can anyone fail to realise that they are not gods, if they cannot save themselves from war or from disasters?

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

50. And since they are only made of wood overlaid with gold or silver, it will later become apparent that they are spurious; it will be obvious to everyone, to nations as to kings, that they are not gods but the work of human hands, and that there is no divine activity in them.

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

51. Does anyone still need convincing that they are not gods?

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.

52. 'They can neither appoint a king over a country, nor give rain to humankind,

52. Who then may not know that they are no gods?

53. nor regulate their own affairs, nor rescue anyone who suffers a wrong; they are as helpless as crows between sky and ground.

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

54. If fire falls on the temple of these wooden gods overlaid with gold or silver, their priests fly to safety while they for their part stay there like beams, to be burnt.

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

55. They cannot put up any resistance to a king or to enemies.

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.

56. So how can anyone think or say that they are gods?

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

57. 'These wooden gods overlaid with gold or silver cannot evade thieves or marauders; strong men may rob them of their gold and silver and make off with the robes they are dressed in; yet they are powerless to help even themselves.

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

58. Better to be a king displaying his prowess, a household pot of use to its owner, than to be these counterfeit gods; or merely the door of a house, protecting what is inside, than these counterfeit gods; or a wooden pillar in a palace than these counterfeit gods.

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

59. The sun, the moon and the stars, which shine and have been given work to do, are obedient;

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 therein, than such false gods. or a pillar of wood in a a palace, than such false gods.

60. similarly, the lightning, as it flashes, is a fine sight; in the same way, the wind blows across every country,

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

61. the clouds execute the order God gives them to pass over the whole earth, and the fire, sent from above to consume mountain and forest, carries out its orders.

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.

62. Now these gods are not their equals, either in beauty or in power.

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

63. So, no one can think or say that they are gods, powerless as they are to administer justice or to do anyone any good.

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.

64. Therefore, knowing that they are not gods, do not be afraid of them.

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.

65. 'For they can neither curse nor bless kings,

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

66. nor produce signs in heaven for the nations, nor shine like the sun, nor shed light like the moon.

66. For they can neither curse nor bless kings:

67. The animals are better off than they are, being able to look after themselves by making for cover.

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

68. There is not the slightest shred of evidence that they are gods; so do not be afraid of them!

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

69. 'Their wooden gods overlaid with gold and silver are like a scarecrow in a field of cucumbers -- protecting nothing.

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

70. Or again, their wooden gods overlaid with gold and silver are like a thorn-bush in a garden -- any kind of bird may perch on it -- or like a corpse thrown out into the dark.

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.

71. From the purple and linen rotting on their backs you can tell that they are not gods; and in the end, eaten away, they will be the dishonour of the country.

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 east into the dark.

72. Better, then, someone upright who has no idols; dishonour will never come near him.'

72. And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon then1: and they themselves afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country.

73.

73. Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach. .