Baruch 6

VULGATA	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Propter peccata quæ peccastis ante Deum, abducemini in Babyloniam captivi a Nabuchodonosor rege Babylonis.	1 This is a copy of the letter that Jeremiah sent to those who would be taken captive into Babylon by the king of Babylon, so as to prophesy to them according to the warning he had received about them from God. “Because of the sins which you have sinned before God, you will be carried away into the captivity of Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.
2 Ingressi itaque in Babylonem, eritis ibi annis plurimis, et temporibus longis, usque ad generationes septem : post hoc autem educam vos inde cum pace.	2 And so, having been taken into Babylon, you will be there many years and for a long time, even to seven generations, yet after this, I will lead you away from there with peace.
3 Nunc autem videbitis in Babylonia deos aureos et argenteos, et lapideos et ligneos, in humeris portari, ostentantes metum gentibus.	3 But now, you will see in Babylon gods of gold and of silver, and of stone and of wood, carried upon shoulders, an awful display for the peoples.
4 Videte ergo ne et vos similes efficiamini factis alienis, et metuatis, et metus vos capiat in ipsis.	4 See to it, then, that you do not in effect become like these strangers and become afraid, so that in awe you would be carried away into their midst.
5 Visa itaque turba de retro et ab ante, adorantes dicite in cordibus vestris : Te oportet adorari, Domine.	5 And so, seeing the turmoil, behind you and in front of you, as they are worshiping, say in your hearts, ‘You ought to be adored, O Lord.’
6 Angelus enim meus vobiscum est : ipse autem exquiram animas vestras.	6 For my angel is with you. And I myself will examine your souls.
7 Nam lingua ipsorum polita a fabro ; ipsa etiam inaurata et inargentata : falsa sunt, et non possunt loqui.	7 For their tongue is polished by the craftsman, and they themselves are even inlaid with gold and silver, yet they are false and unable to speak.
8 Et sicut virgini amanti ornamenta, ita accepto auro fabricati sunt.	8 And, just like a virgin who loves to decorate herself, so do they take up gold and make designs with it.
9 Coronas certe aureas habent super capita sua dii illorum : unde subtrahunt sacerdotes ab eis aurum et argentum, et erogant illud in semetipsos.	9 Their gods have crowns of certified gold upon their heads, from which the priests subtract gold and silver, and spend it on themselves.
10 Dant autem et ex ipso prostitutis, et meretrices ornant : et iterum cum receperint illud a meretricibus, ornant deos suos.	10 Moreover, they even give from it to prostitutes, and use it to adorn kept women, and when they receive it back from the kept women, they use it to adorn their gods.
11 Hi autem non liberantur ab ærugine et tinea.	11 But these cannot be freed from rust and moths.
12 Opertis autem illis veste purpurea, extergunt faciem ipsorum propter pulverem domus qui est plurimus inter eos.	12 Although they are covered with a purple garment, they must wipe off their face, because of the dust of the house, which is very great around them.
13 Sceptrum autem habet ut homo, sicut judex regionis, qui in se peccantem non interficit.	13 Yet he who holds a scepter like a man, like the judge of the region, cannot put to death one who sins against him.
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 :	14 And though he holds in his hand a sword and an axe, yet he cannot free himself from war and robbers. From this let it be known to you that they are not gods.
15 non ergo timueritis eos. Sicut enim vas hominis confractum inutile efficitur, tales sunt et dii illorum.	15 Therefore, do not fear them. For just as the vessel a man uses becomes useless when broken, so also are their gods.
16 Constitutis illis in domo, oculi eorum pleni sunt pulvere a pedibus introëuntium.	16 When they are set up in a house, their eyes are full of dust from the feet of those who enter.
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.	17 And like one who has offended the king and is surrounded at every door, or like a corpse about to be carried to the grave, so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks, lest they be plundered by robbers.
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, and still they are unable to see, for they are like logs in the house.
19 Corda vero eorum dicunt elingere serpentes qui de terra sunt, dum comedunt eos, et vestimentum ipsorum, et non sentiunt.	19 It is truly said that the creeping things, which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts, and yet when these devour them and their garments, they do not feel it.
20 Nigræ fiunt facies eorum a fumo qui in domo fit.	20 Their faces are made black by the smoke that is made in the house.
21 Supra corpus eorum et supra caput eorum volant noctuæ, et hirundines, et aves etiam, similiter et cattæ.	21 Over their bodies and over their heads fly owls and swallows and birds, and similarly, even cats.
22 Unde sciatis quia non sunt dii : ne ergo timueritis eos.	22 From this you should understand that they are not gods. Therefore, neither should you fear them.
23 Aurum etiam quod habent ad speciem est : nisi aliquis exterserit æruginem, non fulgebunt : neque enim dum conflarentur, sentiebant.	23 Furthermore, the gold which they have is shiny, but unless someone wipes off the rust, they will not shine. And even when they were molten, they did not feel it.
24 Ex omni pretio empta sunt, in quibus spiritus non inest ipsis.	24 They acquire all kinds of costly things, yet there is no breath in them.
25 Sine pedibus, in humeris portantur, ostentantes ignobilitatem suam hominibus : confundantur etiam qui colunt ea.	25 Without feet, they are carried upon shoulders, showing their unworthiness to all men. And so, may those who worship them be confounded.
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.	26 Because of this, if they fall to the ground, they do not get up by themselves; and if someone sets it upright, they will not stand firm on their own; yet, just like the dead, offerings are placed next to them.
27 Hostias illorum vendunt sacerdotes ipsorum, et abutuntur : similiter et mulieres eorum decerpentes, neque infirmo, neque mendicanti, aliquid impertiunt.	27 The priests themselves sell their sacrifices, and they spend it wastefully; and, in like manner, their wives take part of it, never sharing anything with the sick or the beggars.
28 De sacrificiis eorum fœtæ et menstruatæ contingunt. Sciens itaque ex his quia non sunt dii, ne timeatis eos.	28 Fertile and menstruous women contaminate their sacrifices. And so, knowing from this that they are not gods, you should not fear them.
29 Unde enim vocantur dii ? quia mulieres apponunt diis argenteis, et aureis, et ligneis :	29 For what reason are they called gods? It is because the women serve before the gods of silver and gold and wood,
30 et in domibus eorum sacerdotes sedent habentes tunicas scissas, et capita et barbam rasam, quorum capita nuda sunt.	30 and the priests sit in their houses, with torn garments, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing on their heads.
31 Rugiunt autem clamantes contra deos suos sicut in cœna mortui.	31 But they roar, shouting out to their gods, just as at a feast for the dead.
32 Vestimenta eorum auferunt sacerdotes, et vestiunt uxores suas et filios suos.	32 The priests take away the garments of their gods, and clothe their wives and their sons.
33 Neque si quid mali patiuntur ab aliquo, neque si quid boni, poterunt retribuere : neque regem constituere possunt, neque auferre.	33 And whether they endure evil from someone, or good, they are not able to repay it. They can neither establish a king, nor remove him.
34 Similiter neque dare divitias possunt, neque malum retribuere. Si quis illis votum voverit et non reddiderit, neque hoc requirunt.	34 Similarly, they can neither give riches, nor avenge evil. If anyone makes a vow to them, and does not keep it, they cannot require it.
35 Hominem a morte non liberant, neque infirmum a potentiori eripiunt.	35 They cannot free a man from death, nor rescue the weak from the strong.
36 Hominem cæcum ad visum non restituunt ; de necessitate hominem non liberabunt.	36 They cannot restore sight to the blind, nor free a man from need.
37 Viduæ non miserebuntur, neque orphanis benefacient.	37 They will not have mercy on the widow, nor do good to orphans.
38 Lapidibus de monte similes sunt dii illorum, lignei, et lapidei, et aurei, et argentei : qui autem colunt ea, confundentur.	38 Their gods of wood, and of stone, and of gold, and of silver, are like stones from the mountain; and those who worship them will be confounded.
39 Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut dicendum illos esse deos ?	39 In what way, then, is it to be supposed or said that they are gods?
40 Adhuc enim ipsis Chaldæis non honorantibus ea : qui cum audierint mutum non posse loqui, offerunt illud ad Bel, postulantes ab eo loqui :	40 For even the Chaldeans themselves do not honor these, who, when they hear about a mute, unable to speak, they offer him to Bel, asking from 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 if these, who are unable to move, would be able to perceive. And even they themselves, when they shall understand this, will abandon them, for, having come to their senses, they do not consider them to be gods.
42 Mulieres autem circumdatæ funibus in viis sedent, succendentes ossa olivarum :	42 Yet the women, wrapped in cords, sit by the roads, burning olive-stones.
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.	43 And when any one of them, having been attracted by someone passing by, would sleep with him, she reproaches her neighbor because she was not found worthy, as she was, nor was her cord broken.
44 Omnia autem quæ illi fiunt, falsa sunt : quomodo æstimandum aut dicendum est illos esse deos ?	44 But all things that occur with them are false; in what way, then, is it to be considered or said that they are gods?
45 A fabris autem et ab aurificibus facta sunt : nihil aliud erunt, nisi id quod volunt esse sacerdotes.	45 Yet they have been made by the workmen and the goldsmiths. They will be nothing else but what the priests want them to be.
46 Artifices etiam ipsi, qui ea faciunt, non sunt multi temporis : numquid ergo possunt ea, quæ fabricata sunt ab ipsis, esse dii ?	46 For the artisans themselves, who make them, do not exist for a long time. So then, can these things, which have been made by them, be gods?
47 Reliquerunt autem falsa et opprobrium postea futuris.	47 Yet they have bequeathed falsehoods and disgrace after this to the future.
48 Nam cum supervenerit illis prælium et mala, cogitant sacerdotes apud se ubi se abscondant cum illis.	48 For when they are overcome by battle or evil, the priests consider among 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 Therefore, why would they be perceived to be gods, who can neither free themselves from war, nor rescue themselves from evils?
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.	50 For, in as much as they are only wood, inlaid with gold and silver, so let it be known henceforth, by all nations and kings, that they are false; because it has been revealed that they are not gods, but the work of men’s hands, and 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 For this reason, then, it has been accepted that they are not gods, but are works of the hands of men, and no work of God is in them.
52 Regem regioni non suscitant, neque pluviam hominibus dabunt.	52 They have not raised up a king in the region, nor will they give rain to men.
53 Judicium quoque non discernent, neque regiones liberabunt ab injuria, quia nihil possunt, sicut corniculæ inter medium cæli et terræ.	53 They will not discern a judgment for anyone, nor will they free a region from injury, because they can do nothing, like crows in the middle of heaven and earth.
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.	54 And, indeed, when there happens to be a fire in the house of these gods of wood, silver, and gold, the priests will certainly run away and save themselves, but these will truly be burned up like logs in the midst of it.
55 Regi autem et bello non resistent. Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut recipiendum quia dii sunt ?	55 Yet they cannot withstand a king and war. In what way, then, is it to be considered or accepted that they are gods?
56 Non a furibus, neque a latronibus se liberabunt dii lignei, et lapidei, et inaurati, et inargentati : quibus hi qui fortiores sunt,	56 These gods of wood and stone, inlaid with gold and silver, can free themselves neither from thieves nor from robbers; whoever is stronger than they are,
57 aurum et argentum, et vestimentum quo operti sunt, auferent illis, et abibunt, nec sibi auxilium ferent.	57 will take up these things, the gold and the silver, and the garments which cover them, and will get away; neither will they be able to help themselves.
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.	58 Therefore, it is better to be a king displaying his power, or a useful vessel in a house, about which he who owns it will boast, or a door in the house, which keeps safe what is inside, than to be these gods of falsehood.
59 Sol quidem et luna ac sidera, cum sint splendida et emissa ad utilitates, obaudiunt :	59 For the sun, and the moon, and the constellations, though they are brilliant and have been sent forth to be useful, are obedient.
60 similiter et fulgur cum apparuerit, perspicuum est : idipsum autem et spiritus in omni regione spirat :	60 Similarly, the lightning, when it appears and is evident, and, in like manner, the wind blowing in every region,
61 et nubes, quibus cum imperatum fuerit a Deo perambulare universum orbem, perficiunt quod imperatum est eis :	61 and the clouds, when God orders them to make their rounds over the whole world, each carries out what was commanded.
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 Furthermore, the fire, having been sent from above so that it may consume mountains and woods, does what it has been instructed to do. Yet these are not similar, neither in splendor, nor in power, to any one of them.
63 Unde neque existimandum est, neque dicendum illos esse deos, quando non possunt neque judicium judicare, neque quidquam facere hominibus.	63 From this, it should neither be supposed, nor said, that they are gods; since they are neither able to give judgment, nor to accomplish anything for men.
64 Scientes itaque quia non sunt dii, ne ergo timueritis eos.	64 And so, knowing that they are not gods, therefore, have no fear of them.
65 Neque enim regibus maledicent, neque benedicent.	65 For they can neither curse kings, nor bless them.
66 Signa etiam in cælo gentibus non ostendunt : neque ut sol lucebunt, neque illuminabunt ut luna.	66 Besides, they show no signs in heaven to the nations; they neither shine like the sun, nor give light like the moon.
67 Bestiæ meliores sunt illis, quæ possunt fugere sub tectum ac prodesse sibi.	67 Beasts are better than they are, for they can flee under a covering, and so protect themselves.
68 Nullo itaque modo nobis est manifestum quia sunt dii : propter quod ne timeatis eos.	68 Therefore, in no way is it clear to us that they are gods; because of this, you should not fear them.
69 Nam sicut in cucumerario formido nihil custodit, ita sunt dii illorum lignei, et argentei, et inaurati.	69 For just as a scarecrow in a cucumber field protects nothing, so are their gods of wood, and silver, and inlaid 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 just the same as a white thorn in a garden, on which all the birds sit; they are even like a corpse thrown out into the darkness, just so are these gods of wood, and inlaid gold, and inlaid silver.
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.	71 By the purple, and likewise the Royal purple, moth-eaten garments upon them, you will then know that they are not gods. And finally, they themselves are consumed and will be a disgrace in the region.
72 Melior est homo justus qui non habet simulacra, nam erit longe ab opprobriis.	72 Better is the just man who has no such images, for he will be far from disgrace.”