Liber Baruch, 6

1. exemplum epistulæ quam misit Hieremias ad abductos captivos in Babyloniam a rege Babyloniorum ut nuntiaret illis secundum quod præceptum est illi a Deo propter peccata quæ peccastis ante Deum abducemini in Babyloniam captivi a Nabuchodonosor rege Babylonum

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

2. ingressi itaque in Babyloniam eritis illic annis plurimis et tempus longum usque ad generationes septem post hoc autem educam vos inde cum pace

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. nunc autem videbitis in Babylonia deos aureos et argenteos et lapideos et ligneos in umeros portari ostentantes metum gentibus

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

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

5. visa itaque turba de retro et ab ante adorantes dicite in cordibus vestris tibi oportet adorari Domine

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. angelus autem meus vobiscum est ipse autem exquiram animas vestras

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

7. nam lingua ipsorum polita a fabro ipsa etiam inaurata et inargentata falsa sunt et non possunt loqui

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. et sicut virgini amanti ornamenti ita accepto auro fabricati sunt

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

9. coronas certe habent aureas super capita sua dii illorum unde subtrahent sacerdotes ab eis aurum et argentum et erogant illud in semet ipsis

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

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. hii autem non liberantur ab erugine et tinea

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

12. opertis autem illis veste purpurea extergent faciem ipsorum propter pulverem domus qui est plurimus inter eos

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

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

14. habet etiam gladium in manu et securem se autem de bello et a latronibus non liberat unde vobis notum sit quia non sunt dii

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. ne ergo timueritis eos sicut enim vas hominis confractum inutile efficitur tales sunt et dii illorum

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. constitutis illis in domo oculi eorum pleni sunt pulvere a pedibus intrœuntium

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

17. et sicut alicui qui regem offendit circumseptæ sunt januæ aut sicut ad sepulchrum adductum mortuum ita tutant sacerdotes ostia clusuris et seris ne a latronibus expolientur

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

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. corda vero eorum dicunt elingere serpentes qui de terra sunt dum comedent eos et vestimentum ipsorum et non sentiunt

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. nigræ fiunt facies eorum a fumo qui in domo fit

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

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

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

22. unde scietis quia non sunt dii ne ergo timueritis eos

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

23. aurum etiam quod habent ad speciem est nisi aliquis exterserit eruginem non fulgebunt neque enim dum conflarentur sentiebant

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. ex omni pretio empta sunt in quibus spiritus non est in ipsis

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

25. sine pedibus in umeris portantur ostentantes ignobilitatem suam hominibus confundantur etiam qui colunt ea

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. propterea si ceciderint in terram a semet ipsis non surgent neque si quis eum statuerit rectum per semet ipsum stabit sed sicut mortuis munera eorum illis adponentur

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. hostias illorum sacerdotes ipsorum vendunt et abutuntur similiter et mulieres eorum decerpentes neque infirmo neque mendicanti aliquid inpertiunt

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. de sacrificiis eorum fetæ et menstruatæ contingunt scientes itaque ex his quia non sunt dii ne timeatis eos

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

29. unde enim vocantur dii quia mulieres adponunt diis argenteis et aureis et ligneis

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

30. et in domibus eorum sacerdotes sedent habentes tunicas scissas et capita et barbas rasa quorum capita nuda sunt

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

31. rugiunt autem clamantes contra deos suos sicut in cena mortui

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

32. a vestimento eorum auferent sacerdotes et vestiunt uxores suas et filios suos

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

33. neque si quid mali patiantur ab aliquo neque si quid bonum poterunt retribuere neque regem constituere possunt neque auferre

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. similiter neque divitias dare possunt neque malum retribuere si quis illis votum voverit et non reddiderit nec hoc requirent

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. hominem a morte non liberant neque infimum a potentiore eripient

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

36. hominem cæcum ad visum non restituent de necessitate hominem non liberabunt

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

37. viduæ non miserebuntur neque orfanis benefacient

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

38. lapidibus de monte similes sunt dii illorum lignei et lapidei aurei et argentei qui autem colunt illa confundentur

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. quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut dicendum illos esse deos

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

40. adhuc enim ipsis Chaldeis non honorantibus ea qui cum audierint mutum non posse loqui offerent illum ad Bel postulantes ab eo loqui

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. quasi possint sentire qui non habent motum et ipsi cum intellexerint relinquent ea sensum enim non habent ipsi dii illorum

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. mulieres autem circumdatis funibus in viis sedent succendentes ossa olivarum

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

43. cum autem aliqua ex ipsis adtracta ab aliquo transeunte dormierit proximæ suæ exprobrat quod ea non sit digna habita sicut ipsa neque funis ejus disruptus sit

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. omnia autem quæ illis fiunt falsa sunt quomodo ergo æstimandum aut dicendum est esse illos deos

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. a fabris autem et ab aurificibus facta sunt nihil aliud erint nisi id quod volunt esse sacerdotes

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. aurifices ipsi etiam qui ea faciunt non sunt multi temporis numquid ergo possunt quæ ab ipsis fabricata sunt esse dii

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. reliquerunt autem falsa et obprobrium postea futuris

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

48. nam cum supervenerit illis prœlium et mala cogitant post se sacerdotes ubi se abscondant cum illis

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

49. quomodo ergo sentiri debeant quoniam dii sunt qui nec de bello se liberant neque de malis se eripiunt

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

50. nam cum sint lignea et inaurata et inargentata scietur postea quia falsa sunt gentibus universis et regibus quæ manifestata sunt quia non sunt dii sed opera manuum hominum et nullum opus Dei in illis

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

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. regem regioni non suscitant neque pluviam hominibus dabunt

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

53. judicium quoque non discernent neque regionem liberabunt ab iniuria quia nihil possunt sicut corniculæ inter medium cæli et terræ

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

54. etenim cum inciderit ignis in domum deorum ligneorum aureorum et argenteorum sacerdotes quidem ipsorum fugient et liberabuntur ipsi vero sicut trabes in medio conburentur

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. regi autem et bello non resistent quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut recipiendum quia dii sunt

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

56. non a furibus neque a latronibus se liberabunt dii lignei et lapidei et inaurati et argentati quibus hii qui fortiores sunt

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. aurum et argentum et vestimentum quod operti sunt auferent illis et abibunt nec sibi auxilium ferunt

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

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. sol quidem et luna sidera cum sint splendida et emissa ad utilitates obaudiunt

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

60. similiter et fulgur cum apparuerit perspicuum est id ipsum autem et spiritus in omni regione spirat

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

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

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

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. unde neque æstimandum est neque dicendum esse illos deos quando non possint neque judicium judicare neque benefacere hominibus

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. scientes itaque quia non sunt dii ne ergo timueritis eos

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

65. neque enim regibus maledicent neque benedicent

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

66. signa etiam in cælo gentibus non ostendunt neque ut sol lucebunt neque inluminabunt ut luna

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

67. bestiæ meliores sunt illis quæ possunt fugere sub tectum ac prodesse sibi

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

68. nullo itaque modo nobis est manifestum quia sunt dii propter quod ne timeatis eos

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

69. nam sicut in cucumeraria formido nihil custodit ita sunt dii illorum lignei et argentei et inaurati

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. 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

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. a purpura quoque et marmore quæ supra illos tineant scietis itaque quia non sunt dii ipsi etiam postremo comeduntur et erit obprobrium in regione

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. melior est homo justus qui non habet simulacra nam erit longe ab obprobriis

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