Liber Baruch, 6

0. Exemplum epistulae, quam mi sit Ieremias ad abducendos cap tivos in Babyloniam a rege Babyloniorum, ut nuntiaret illis secundum quod praeceptum est ei a Deo.

0.

1. Propter peccata, quae peccastis ante Deum, abducemini in Babyloniam captivi a Nabuchodonosor rege Babyloniorum.

1. A copy of a letter which Jeremiah sent to those who were to be taken to Babylon as captives by the king of the Babylonians, to give them the message which God had commanded him.

2. Ingressi itaque in Babylonem, eritis illic annis pluribus et tempus longum usque ad generationes septem; post hoc autem educam vos inde cum pace.

2. Because of the sins which you have committed before God, you will be taken to Babylon as captives by Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonians.

3. Nunc autem videbitis in Babylone deos argenteos et aureos et ligneos in umeris portari, ostentantes metum gentibus.

3. Therefore when you have come to Babylon you will remain there for many years, for a long time, up to seven generations; after that I will bring you away from there in peace.

4. Cavete ergo, ne et vos assimilati assimilemini alienigenis, et metus vos capiat in ipsis.

4. Now in Babylon you will see gods made of silver and gold and wood, which are carried on men's shoulders and inspire fear in the heathen.

5. Videntes turbam ante et retro adorantem eos, dicite autem in corde vestro: “Te oportet adorare, Domine”.

5. So take care not to become at all like the foreigners or to let fear for these gods possess you, when you see the multitude before and behind them worshiping them.

6. Angelus enim meus vobiscum est; ipse autem exquiret animas vestras.

6. But say in your heart, "It is thou, O Lord, whom we must worship."

7. Nam lingua eorum polita a fabro; ipsa etiam inaurata et inargentata falsa sunt et non possunt loqui.

7. For my angel is with you, and he is watching your lives.

8. Et sicut virgini ornatum amanti, accepto auro fabricantur

8. Their tongues are smoothed by the craftsman, and they themselves are overlaid with gold and silver; but they are false and cannot speak.

9. coronas super capita deorum suorum. Interdum autem accidit etiam, ut sacerdotes, subtrahentes a diis aurum et argentum, erogent illud in semetipsos

9. People take gold and make crowns for the heads of their gods, as they would for a girl who loves ornaments;

10. et dent ex ipso et prostitutis in lupanari. Et ornant illos ut homines vestimentis, deos argenteos et aureos et ligneos.

10. and sometimes the priests secretly take gold and silver from their gods and spend it upon themselves,

11. Hi autem non liberantur ab aerugine et tinea.

11. and even give some of it to the harlots in the brothel. They deck their gods out with garments like men -- these gods of silver and gold and wood,

12. Opertis illis veste purpurea, extergunt faciem eorum propter pulverem domus, qui est plurimus super eos.

12. which cannot save themselves from rust and corrosion. When they have been dressed in purple robes,

13. Et sceptrum habet ut homo, iudex regionis, qui in se peccantem non interficiet.

13. their faces are wiped because of the dust from the temple, which is thick upon them.

14. Habet etiam gladium in manu dextera et securim, se autem de bello et a latronibus non liberabit. Unde notum est quia non sunt dii;

14. Like a local ruler the god holds a scepter, though unable to destroy any one who offends it.

15. non ergo timueritis eos. Sicut enim vas hominis confractum inutile fit, tales sunt dii eorum.

15. It has a dagger in its right hand, and has an axe; but it cannot save itself from war and robbers.

16. Collocatis illis in domo, oculi eorum pleni sunt pulvere ex pedibus introeuntium.

16. Therefore they evidently are not gods; so do not fear them.

17. Et sicut alicui, qui regem offendit, circumsaeptae sunt aulae, tamquam ad mortem ducto, domus eorum muniunt sacerdotes ostiis et clausuris et seris, ne a latronibus exspolientur.

17. For just as one's dish is useless when it is broken, so are the gods of the heathen, when they have been set up in the temples. Their eyes are full of the dust raised by the feet of those who enter.

18. Lucernas accendunt et quidem plures quam sibi ipsis, quarum nullam videre possunt.

18. And just as the gates are shut on every side upon a man who has offended a king, as though he were sentenced to death, so the priests make their temples secure with doors and locks and bars, in order that they may not be plundered by robbers.

19. Sunt autem sicut trabes in domo; corda vero eorum dicunt elingere serpentes, qui de terra sunt; dum comedunt eos et vestimentum eorum, non sentiunt.

19. They light lamps, even more than they light for themselves, though their gods can see none of them.

20. Nigrae fiunt facies eorum a fumo, qui in domo fit.

20. They are just like a beam of the temple, but men say their hearts have melted, when worms from the earth devour them and their robes. They do not notice

21. Super corpus eorum et super caput volitant noctuae et hirundines et aves, similiter et cattae.

21. when their faces have been blackened by the smoke of the temple.

22. Unde scietis quia non sunt dii; non ergo timueritis eos.

22. Bats, swallows, and birds light on their bodies and heads; and so do cats.

23. Aurum enim, quod circa se habent ad speciem, nisi aliquis exterserit aeruginem, non fulgebit; neque enim, cum conflabantur, sentiebant.

23. From this you will know that they are not gods; so do not fear them.

24. Ex omni pretio empta sunt, in quibus spiritus non est.

24. As for the gold which they wear for beauty -- they will not shine unless some one wipes off the rust; for even when they were being cast, they had no feeling.

25. Sine pedibus, in umeris portantur, ostentantes ignobilitatem suam hominibus; confunduntur et, qui excolunt ea,

25. They are bought at any cost, but there is no breath in them.

26. propter quod, ne forte cadat in terram, per ipsos erigetur. Neque, si quis illud erectum statuerit, per semetipsum movebitur neque, si inclinatum fuerit, erigetur; sed sicut mortuis munera illis apponuntur.

26. Having no feet, they are carried on men's shoulders, revealing to mankind their worthlessness.

27. Hostias vero eorum sacerdotes eorum vendunt et abutuntur; similiter et uxores eorum, ex ipsis partes sale condientes, neque mendico neque infirmo aliquid impertiunt. De sacrificiis eorum menstruatae et fetae contingunt.

27. And those who serve them are ashamed because through them these gods are made to stand, lest they fall to the ground. If any one sets one of them upright, it cannot move itself; and if it is tipped over, it cannot straighten itself; but gifts are placed before them just as before the dead.

28. Scientes itaque ex his quia non sunt dii, ne timueritis eos.

28. The priests sell the sacrifices that are offered to these gods and use the money; and likewise their wives preserve some with salt, but give none to the poor or helpless.

29. Unde enim vocabuntur dii? Quia mulieres apponunt diis argenteis et aureis et ligneis,

29. Sacrifices to them may be touched by women in menstruation or at childbirth. Since you know by these things that they are not gods, do not fear them.

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

30. For why should they be called gods? Women serve meals for gods of silver and gold and wood;

31. Rugiunt autem clamantes coram diis suis sicut in cena mortui.

31. and in their temples the priests sit with their clothes rent, their heads and beards shaved, and their heads uncovered.

32. A vestimento eorum auferunt sacerdotes et vestiunt uxores suas et filios suos.

32. They howl and shout before their gods as some do at a funeral feast for a man who has died.

33. Neque si quid mali patiantur ab aliquo neque si bonum, poterint retribuere; neque constituere regem possunt neque auferre.

33. The priests take some of the clothing of their gods to clothe their wives and children.

34. Similiter neque divitias neque aes poterunt dare. Si quis illis votum voverit nec reddiderit, non requirent.

34. Whether one does evil to them or good, they will not be able to repay it. They cannot set up a king or depose one.

35. De morte hominem non liberabunt neque infirmiorem a potentiore eripient.

35. Likewise they are not able to give either wealth or money; if one makes a vow to them and does not keep it, they will not require it.

36. Hominem caecum ad visum non restituent, de necessitate hominem non liberabunt.

36. They cannot save a man from death or rescue the weak from the strong.

37. Viduae non miserebuntur neque orphano benefacient.

37. They cannot restore sight to a blind man; they cannot rescue a man who is in distress.

38. Lapidibus de monte similes sunt, lignea et inaurata et inargentata; qui autem excolunt illa, confundentur.

38. They cannot take pity on a widow or do good to an orphan.

39. Quomodo ergo aestimandum aut dicendum est esse illos deos?

39. These things that are made of wood and overlaid with gold and silver are like stones from the mountain, and those who serve them will be put to shame.

40. Adhuc etiam ipsi Chaldaei non honorant ea; qui cum viderint mutum non posse loqui, afferunt Bel postulantes illum loqui,

40. Why then must any one think that they are gods, or call them gods? Besides, even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them;

41. quasi ipse possit sentire. Et non possunt ipsi, cum intellexerint, relinquere ea; sensum enim non habent.

41. for when they see a dumb man, who cannot speak, they bring him and pray Bel that the man may speak, as though Bel were able to understand.

42. Mulieres autem circumdatae funibus in viis sedent succendentes furfurem;

42. Yet they themselves cannot perceive this and abandon them, for they have no sense.

43. cum autem aliqua ex ipsis, attracta ab aliquo transeunte, dormierit cum eo, proximae suae exprobrat quod ea non sit digna habita, sicut ipsa, neque funis eius diruptus.

43. And the women, with cords about them, sit along the passageways, burning bran for incense; and when one of them is led off by one of the passers-by and is lain with, she derides the woman next to her, because she was not as attractive as herself and her cord was not broken.

44. Omnia autem, quae illis fiunt, falsa sunt; quomodo ergo aestimandum est aut dicendum illos esse deos?

44. Whatever is done for them is false. Why then must any one think that they are gods, or call them gods?

45. A fabris et ab aurificibus facti sunt; nihil aliud erunt, nisi id quod volunt artifices.

45. They are made by carpenters and goldsmiths; they can be nothing but what the craftsmen wish them to be.

46. Ipsi etiam, qui ea faciunt, non erunt multi temporis; itaque numquid possunt, quae ab ipsis fabricata sunt, esse dii?

46. The men that make them will certainly not live very long themselves; how then can the things that are made by them be gods?

47. Reliquerunt enim falsa et opprobrium postea futuris.

47. They have left only lies and reproach for those who come after.

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

48. For when war or calamity comes upon them, the priests consult together as to where they can hide themselves and their gods.

49. Quomodo ergo non est sentiendum quia non sunt dii, qui nec liberant se de bello nec de malis?

49. How then can one fail to see that these are not gods, for they cannot save themselves from war or calamity?

50. Nam cum sint lignea et inaurata et inargentata, scietur postea quia falsa sunt; gentibus universis et regibus manifestum erit quia non sunt dii sed opera manuum hominum, et nullum Dei opus in illis est.

50. Since they are made of wood and overlaid with gold and silver, it will afterward be known that they are false.

51. Cui ergo non notum est quod non sunt dii?

51. It will be manifest to all the nations and kings that they are not gods but the work of men's hands, and that there is no work of God in them.

52. Regem enim regioni non suscitabunt neque pluviam hominibus dabunt.

52. Who then can fail to know that they are not gods?

53. Iudicium quoque eorum non discernent nec regiones liberabunt iniuriam patientes, quia nihil possunt sicut corniculae inter medium caeli et terrae.

53. For they cannot set up a king over a country or give rain to men.

54. Etenim cum inciderit in domum deorum ligneorum vel inauratorum vel inargentatorum ignis, sacerdotes quidem ipsorum fugient et liberabuntur; ipsi vero sicut trabes in medio comburentur.

54. They cannot judge their own cause or deliver one who is wronged, for they have no power; they are like crows between heaven and earth.

55. Regi autem et hostibus non resistent. Quomodo ergo aestimandum est aut recipiendum quia dii sunt?

55. When fire breaks out in a temple of wooden gods overlaid with gold or silver, their priests will flee and escape, but the gods will be burnt in two like beams.

56. Neque a furibus neque a latronibus se liberabunt dii lignei et inaurati et inargentati;

56. Besides, they can offer no resistance to a king or any enemies. Why then must any one admit or think that they are gods?

57. quibus hi fortiores sunt, quia aurum et argentum et vestimentum, quo operti sunt, auferent illis et abibunt; nec illi sibi auxilium ferent.

57. Gods made of wood and overlaid with silver and gold are not able to save themselves from thieves and robbers.

58. Itaque melius est esse regem ostentantem virtutem suam aut vas in domo utile, quo uti potest is, qui possidet illud, quam falsi dii, aut etiam ostium in domo, quod custodit, quae in ea sunt, quam falsi dii, et columna lignea in regiis quam falsi dii.

58. Strong men will strip them of their gold and silver and of the robes they wear, and go off with this booty, and they will not be able to help themselves.

59. Sol quidem et luna et sidera, cum sint splendida et emissa ad utilitates, oboediunt;

59. So it is better to be a king who shows his courage, or a household utensil that serves its owner's need, than to be these false gods; better even the door of a house that protects its contents, than these false gods; better also a wooden pillar in a palace, than these false gods.

60. similiter et fulgur cum apparuerit, perspicuum est; eodem modo et spiritus in omni regione spirat;

60. For sun and moon and stars, shining and sent forth for service, are obedient.

61. et nubes, quibus cum imperatum fuerit a Deo perambulare universum orbem, perficiunt, quod imperatum est;

61. So also the lightning, when it flashes, is widely seen; and the wind likewise blows in every land.

62. ignis etiam missus desuper, ut consumat montes et silvas, facit, quod praeceptum est: haec autem neque speciebus neque virtutibus uni eorum similia sunt.

62. When God commands the clouds to go over the whole world, they carry out his command.

63. Unde neque aestimandum est neque dicendum illos esse deos, quando non possunt neque iudicium iudicare neque benefacere hominibus.

63. And the fire sent from above to consume mountains and woods does what it is ordered. But these idols are not to be compared with them in appearance or power.

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

64. Therefore one must not think that they are gods nor call them gods, for they are not able either to decide a case or to do good to men.

65. Neque enim regibus maledicent neque benedicent.

65. Since you know then that they are not gods, do not fear them.

66. Signa in caelo gentibus non ostendent neque ut sol lucebunt neque illuminabunt sicut luna.

66. For they can neither curse nor bless kings;

67. Bestiae meliores sunt illis, quae possunt, fugientes sub tegumentum, prodesse sibi.

67. they cannot show signs in the heavens and among the nations, or shine like the sun or give light like the moon.

68. Nullo itaque modo nobis est manifestum quia sunt dii; propter quod ne timueritis eos.

68. The wild beasts are better than they are, for they can flee to cover and help themselves.

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

69. So we have no evidence whatever that they are gods; therefore do not fear them.

70. Eodem modo et in horto spinae albae, super quam omnis avis sedet; similiter et mortuo proiecto in tenebris similes sunt dii eorum lignei et inaurati et inargentati.

70. Like a scarecrow in a cucumber bed, that guards nothing, so are their gods of wood, overlaid with gold and silver.

71. A purpura et bysso, quae super illos tineant, scietis quia non sunt dii; ipsa etiam postremo comeduntur, et erit opprobrium in regione.

71. In the same way, their gods of wood, overlaid with gold and silver, and like a thorn bush in a garden, on which every bird sits; or like a dead body cast out in the darkness.

72. Melior est ergo homo iustus, qui non habet simulacra, nam erit longe ab opprobriis.

72. By the purple and linen that rot upon them you will know that they are not gods; and they will finally themselves be consumed, and be a reproach in the land.

73.

73. Better therefore is a just man who has no idols, for he will be far from reproach.