ΒΑΡΟΥΧ - Baruch 6

LXX	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 αντιγραφον επιστολης ης απεστειλεν ιερεμιας προς τους αχθησομενους αιχμαλωτους εις βαβυλωνα υπο του βασιλεως των βαβυλωνιων αναγγειλαι αυτοις καθοτι επεταγη αυτω υπο του θεου	1 A copy of the letter which Jeremiah sent to those who were being led captive to Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to convey to them what God had commanded him:
2 δια τας αμαρτιας ας ημαρτηκατε εναντιον του θεου αχθησεσθε εις βαβυλωνα αιχμαλωτοι υπο ναβουχοδονοσορ βασιλεως των βαβυλωνιων	2 When you reach Babylon you will be there many years, a period seven generations long; after which I will bring you back from there in peace.
3 εισελθοντες ουν εις βαβυλωνα εσεσθε εκει ετη πλειονα και χρονον μακρον εως γενεων επτα μετα τουτο δε εξαξω υμας εκειθεν μετ' ειρηνης	3 And now in Babylon you will see borne upon men's shoulders gods of silver and gold and wood, which cast fear upon the pagans.
4 νυνι δε οψεσθε εν βαβυλωνι θεους αργυρους και χρυσους και ξυλινους επ' ωμοις αιρομενους δεικνυντας φοβον τοις εθνεσιν	4 Take care that you yourselves do not imitate their alien example and stand in fear of them,
5 ευλαβηθητε ουν μη και υμεις αφομοιωθεντες τοις αλλοφυλοις αφομοιωθητε και φοβος υμας λαβη επ' αυτοις	5 when you see the crowd before them and behind worshiping them. Rather, say in your hearts, "You, O LORD, are to be worshiped!";
6 ιδοντας οχλον εμπροσθεν και οπισθεν αυτων προσκυνουντας αυτα ειπατε δε τη διανοια σοι δει προσκυνειν δεσποτα	6 for my angel is with you, and he is the custodian of your lives.
7 ο γαρ αγγελος μου μεθ' υμων εστιν αυτος τε εκζητων τας ψυχας υμων	7 Their tongues are smoothed by woodworkers; they are covered with gold and silver-but they are a fraud, and cannot speak.
8 γλωσσα γαρ αυτων εστιν κατεξυσμενη υπο τεκτονος αυτα τε περιχρυσα και περιαργυρα ψευδη δ' εστιν και ου δυνανται λαλειν	8 People bring gold, as to a maiden in love with ornament,
9 και ωσπερ παρθενω φιλοκοσμω λαμβανοντες χρυσιον κατασκευαζουσιν στεφανους επι τας κεφαλας των θεων αυτων	9 and furnish crowns for the heads of their gods. Then sometimes the priests take the silver and gold from their gods and spend it on themselves,
10 εστι δε και οτε υφαιρουμενοι οι ιερεις απο των θεων αυτων χρυσιον και αργυριον εις εαυτους καταναλωσουσιν δωσουσιν δε απ' αυτων και ταις επι του τεγους πορναις	10 or give part of it to the harlots on the terrace. They trick them out in garments like men, these gods of silver and gold and wood;
11 κοσμουσι τε αυτους ως ανθρωπους τοις ενδυμασιν θεους αργυρους και χρυσους και ξυλινους ουτοι δε ου διασωζονται απο ιου και βρωματων	11 but though they are wrapped in purple clothing, they are not safe from corrosion or insects.
12 περιβεβλημενων αυτων ιματισμον πορφυρουν εκμασσονται το προσωπον αυτων δια τον εκ της οικιας κονιορτον ος εστιν πλειων επ' αυτοις	12 They wipe their faces clean of the house dust which is thick upon them.
13 και σκηπτρον εχει ως ανθρωπος κριτης χωρας ος τον εις αυτον αμαρτανοντα ουκ ανελει	13 Each has a scepter, like the human ruler of a district; but none does away with those that offend against it.
14 εχει δε εγχειριδιον εν δεξια και πελεκυν εαυτον δε εκ πολεμου και ληστων ουκ εξελειται	14 Each has in its right hand an axe or dagger, but it cannot save itself from war or pillage. Thus it is known they are not gods; do not fear them.
15 οθεν γνωριμοι εισιν ουκ οντες θεοι μη ουν φοβηθητε αυτους	15 As useless as one's broken tools
16 ωσπερ γαρ σκευος ανθρωπου συντριβεν αχρειον γινεται τοιουτοι υπαρχουσιν οι θεοι αυτων καθιδρυμενων αυτων εν τοις οικοις	16 are their gods, set up in their houses; their eyes are full of dust from the feet of those who enter.
17 οι οφθαλμοι αυτων πληρεις εισιν κονιορτου απο των ποδων των εισπορευομενων	17 Their courtyards are walled in like those of a man brought to execution for a crime against the king; the priests reinforce their houses with gates and bars and bolts, lest they be carried off by robbers.
18 και ωσπερ τινι ηδικηκοτι βασιλεα περιπεφραγμεναι εισιν αι αυλαι ως επι θανατω απηγμενω τους οικους αυτων οχυρουσιν οι ιερεις θυρωμασιν τε και κλειθροις και μοχλοις οπως υπο των ληστων μη συληθωσι	18 They light more lamps for them than for themselves, yet not one of these can they see.
19 λυχνους καιουσιν και πλειους η εαυτοις ων ουδενα δυνανται ιδειν	19 They are like any beam in the house; it is said their hearts are eaten away. Though the insects out of the ground consume them and their garments, they do not feel it.
20 εστιν μεν ωσπερ δοκος των εκ της οικιας τας δε καρδιας αυτων φασιν εκλειχεσθαι των απο της γης ερπετων κατεσθοντων αυτους τε και τον ιματισμον αυτων ουκ αισθανονται	20 Their faces are blackened by the smoke of the house.
21 μεμελανωμενοι το προσωπον αυτων απο του καπνου του εκ της οικιας	21 Bats and swallows alight on their bodies and on their heads; and cats as well as birds.
22 επι το σωμα αυτων και επι την κεφαλην εφιπτανται νυκτεριδες χελιδονες και τα ορνεα ωσαυτως δε και οι αιλουροι	22 Know, therefore, that they are not gods, and do not fear them.
23 οθεν γνωσεσθε οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι μη ουν φοβεισθε αυτα	23 Despite the gold that covers them for adornment, unless someone wipes away the corrosion, they do not shine; nor did they feel anything when they were molded.
24 το γαρ χρυσιον ο περικεινται εις καλλος εαν μη τις εκμαξη τον ιον ου μη στιλψωσιν ουδε γαρ οτε εχωνευοντο ησθανοντο	24 They are bought at any price, and there is no spirit in them.
25 εκ πασης τιμης ηγορασμενα εστιν εν οις ουκ εστιν πνευμα	25 Having no feet, they are carried on men's shoulders, displaying their shame to all; and those who worship them are put to confusion
26 ανευ ποδων επ' ωμοις φερονται ενδεικνυμενοι την εαυτων ατιμιαν τοις ανθρωποις αισχυνονται τε και οι θεραπευοντες αυτα δια το μηποτε επι την γην πεση δι' αυτων ανιστασθαι	26 because, if they fall to the ground, the worshipers must raise them up. They neither move of themselves if one sets them upright, nor come upright if they fall; but one puts gifts beside them as beside the dead.
27 μητε εαν τις αυτο ορθον στηση δι' εαυτου κινηθησεται μητε εαν κλιθη ου μη ορθωθη αλλ' ωσπερ νεκροις τα δωρα αυτοις παρατιθεται	27 Their priests resell their sacrifices for their own advantage. Even their wives cure parts of the meat, but do not share it with the poor and the weak;
28 τας δε θυσιας αυτων αποδομενοι οι ιερεις αυτων καταχρωνται ωσαυτως δε και αι γυναικες αυτων απ' αυτων ταριχευουσαι ουτε πτωχω ουτε αδυνατω μεταδιδοασιν των θυσιων αυτων αποκαθημενη και λεχω απτονται	28 the menstruous and women in childbed handle their sacrifices. Knowing from this that they are not gods, do not fear them.
29 γνοντες ουν απο τουτων οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι μη φοβηθητε αυτους	29 How can they be called gods? For women bring the offerings to these gods of silver and gold and wood;
30 ποθεν γαρ κληθειησαν θεοι οτι γυναικες παρατιθεασιν θεοις αργυροις και χρυσοις και ξυλινοις	30 and in their temples the priests squat with torn tunic and with shaven hair and beard, and with their heads uncovered.
31 και εν τοις οικοις αυτων οι ιερεις διφρευουσιν εχοντες τους χιτωνας διερρωγοτας και τας κεφαλας και τους πωγωνας εξυρημενους ων αι κεφαλαι ακαλυπτοι εισιν	31 They shout and wail before their gods as others do at a funeral banquet.
32 ωρυονται δε βοωντες εναντιον των θεων αυτων ωσπερ τινες εν περιδειπνω νεκρου	32 The priests take some of their clothing and put it on their wives and children.
33 απο του ιματισμου αυτων αφελομενοι οι ιερεις ενδυουσιν τας γυναικας αυτων και τα παιδια	33 Whether they are treated well or ill by anyone, they cannot requite it; they can neither set up a king nor remove him.
34 ουτε εαν κακον παθωσιν υπο τινος ουτε εαν αγαθον δυνησονται ανταποδουναι ουτε καταστησαι βασιλεα δυνανται ουτε αφελεσθαι	34 Similarly, they cannot give anyone riches or coppers; if one fails to fulfill a vow to them, they cannot exact it of him.
35 ωσαυτως ουτε πλουτον ουτε χαλκον ου μη δυνωνται διδοναι εαν τις αυτοις ευχην ευξαμενος μη αποδω ου μη επιζητησωσιν	35 They neither save a man from death, nor deliver the weak from the strong.
36 εκ θανατου ανθρωπον ου μη ρυσωνται ουτε ηττονα απο ισχυρου ου μη εξελωνται	36 To no blind man do they restore his sight, nor do they save any man in an emergency.
37 ανθρωπον τυφλον εις ορασιν ου μη περιστησωσιν εν αναγκη ανθρωπον οντα ου μη εξελωνται	37 They neither pity the widow nor benefit the orphan.
38 χηραν ου μη ελεησωσιν ουτε ορφανον ευ ποιησουσιν	38 These gilded and silvered wooden statues are like stones from the mountains; and their worshipers will be put to shame.
39 τοις απο του ορους λιθοις ωμοιωμενοι εισιν τα ξυλινα και τα περιχρυσα και τα περιαργυρα οι δε θεραπευοντες αυτα καταισχυνθησονται	39 How then can it be thought or claimed that they are gods?
40 πως ουν νομιστεον η κλητεον αυτους υπαρχειν θεους	40 Even the Chaldeans themselves have no respect for them; for when they see a deaf mute, incapable of speech, they bring forward Bel and ask the god to make noise, as though the man could understand;
41 ετι δε και αυτων των χαλδαιων ατιμαζοντων αυτα οι οταν ιδωσιν ενεον ου δυναμενον λαλησαι προσενεγκαμενοι τον βηλον αξιουσιν φωνησαι ως δυνατου οντος αυτου αισθεσθαι	41 and they are themselves unable to reflect and abandon these gods, for they have no sense.
42 και ου δυνανται αυτοι νοησαντες καταλιπειν αυτα αισθησιν γαρ ουκ εχουσιν	42 And their women, girt with cords, sit by the roads, burning chaff for incense;
43 αι δε γυναικες περιθεμεναι σχοινια εν ταις οδοις εγκαθηνται θυμιωσαι τα πιτυρα	43 and whenever one of them is drawn aside by some passer-by who lies with her, she mocks her neighbor who has not been dignified as she has, and has not had her cord broken.
44 οταν δε τις αυτων εφελκυσθεισα υπο τινος των παραπορευομενων κοιμηθη την πλησιον ονειδιζει οτι ουκ ηξιωται ωσπερ και αυτη ουτε το σχοινιον αυτης διερραγη	44 All that takes place around these gods is a fraud: how then can it be thought or claimed that they are gods?
45 παντα τα γινομενα αυτοις εστιν ψευδη πως ουν νομιστεον η κλητεον ωστε θεους αυτους υπαρχειν	45 They are produced by woodworkers and goldsmiths, and they are nothing else than what these craftsmen wish them to be.
46 υπο τεκτονων και χρυσοχοων κατεσκευασμενα εισιν ουθεν αλλο μη γενωνται η ο βουλονται οι τεχνιται αυτα γενεσθαι	46 Even those who produce them are not long-lived;
47 αυτοι τε οι κατασκευαζοντες αυτα ου μη γενωνται πολυχρονιοι πως τε δη μελλει τα υπ' αυτων κατασκευασθεντα ειναι θεοι	47 how then can what they have produced be gods? They have left frauds and opprobrium to their successors.
48 κατελιπον γαρ ψευδη και ονειδος τοις επιγινομενοις	48 For when war or disaster comes upon them, the priests deliberate among themselves where they can hide with them.
49 οταν γαρ επελθη επ' αυτα πολεμος και κακα βουλευονται προς εαυτους οι ιερεις που συναποκρυβωσι μετ' αυτων	49 How then can one not know that these are no-gods, which do not save themselves either from war or from disaster?
50 πως ουν ουκ εστιν αισθεσθαι οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι οι ουτε σωζουσιν εαυτους εκ πολεμου ουτε εκ κακων	50 They are wooden, gilded and silvered; they will later be known for frauds. To all peoples and kings it will be clear that they are not gods, but human handiwork; and that God's work is not in them.
51 υπαρχοντα γαρ ξυλινα και περιχρυσα και περιαργυρα γνωσθησεται μετα ταυτα οτι εστιν ψευδη τοις εθνεσι πασι τοις τε βασιλευσι φανερον εσται οτι ουκ εισι θεοι αλλα εργα χειρων ανθρωπων και ουδεν θεου εργον εν αυτοις εστιν	51 Who does not know that they are not gods?
52 τινι ουν γνωστεον εστιν οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι	52 They set no king over the land, nor do they give men rain.
53 βασιλεα γαρ χωρας ου μη αναστησωσιν ουτε υετον ανθρωποις ου μη δωσιν	53 They neither vindicate their own rights, nor do they recover what is unjustly taken, for they are unable;
54 κρισιν τε ου μη διακρινωσιν αυτων ουδε μη ρυσωνται αδικουμενον αδυνατοι οντες ωσπερ γαρ κορωναι ανα μεσον του ουρανου και της γης	54 they are like crows between heaven and earth. For when fire breaks out in the temple of these wooden or gilded or silvered gods, though the priests flee and are safe, they themselves are burnt up in the fire like beams.
55 και γαρ οταν εμπεση εις οικιαν θεων ξυλινων η περιχρυσων η περιαργυρων πυρ οι μεν ιερεις αυτων φευξονται και διασωθησονται αυτοι δε ωσπερ δοκοι μεσοι κατακαυθησονται	55 They cannot resist a king, or enemy forces.
56 βασιλει δε και πολεμιοις ου μη αντιστωσιν	56 How then can it be admitted or thought that they are gods? are safe from neither thieves nor bandits, these wooden and silvered and gilded gods;
57 πως ουν εκδεκτεον η νομιστεον οτι εισιν θεοι	57 those who seize them strip off the gold and the silver, and go away with the clothing that was on them, and they cannot help themselves.
58 ουτε απο κλεπτων ουτε απο ληστων ου μη διασωθωσιν θεοι ξυλινοι και περιαργυροι και περιχρυσοι ων οι ισχυοντες περιελουνται το χρυσιον και το αργυριον και τον ιματισμον τον περικειμενον αυτοις απελευσονται εχοντες ουτε εαυτοις ου μη βοηθησωσιν	58 How much better to be a king displaying his valor, or a handy tool in a house, the joy of its owner, than these false gods; or the door of a house, that keeps safe those who are within, rather than these false gods; or a wooden post in a palace, rather than these false gods!
59 ωστε κρεισσον ειναι βασιλεα επιδεικνυμενον την εαυτου ανδρειαν η σκευος εν οικια χρησιμον εφ' ω χρησεται ο κεκτημενος η οι ψευδεις θεοι η και θυρα εν οικια διασωζουσα τα εν αυτη οντα η οι ψευδεις θεοι και ξυλινος στυλος εν βασιλειοις η οι ψευδεις θεοι	59 The sun and moon and stars are bright, and obedient in the service for which they are sent.
60 ηλιος μεν γαρ και σεληνη και αστρα οντα λαμπρα και αποστελλομενα επι χρειας ευηκοα εισιν	60 Likewise the lightning, when it flashes, is a goodly sight; and the same wind blows over all the land.
61 ωσαυτως και αστραπη οταν επιφανη ευοπτος εστιν το δ' αυτο και πνευμα εν παση χωρα πνει	61 The clouds, too, when commanded by God to proceed across the whole world, fulfill the order;
62 και νεφελαις οταν επιταγη υπο του θεου επιπορευεσθαι εφ' ολην την οικουμενην συντελουσι το ταχθεν το τε πυρ εξαποσταλεν ανωθεν εξαναλωσαι ορη και δρυμους ποιει το συνταχθεν	62 and fire, sent from on high to burn up the mountains and the forests, does what has been commanded. But these false gods are not their equal, whether in beauty or in power;
63 ταυτα δε ουτε ταις ιδεαις ουτε ταις δυναμεσιν αυτων αφωμοιωμενα εστιν	63 so that it is unthinkable, and cannot be claimed, that they are gods. They can neither execute judgment, nor benefit man.
64 οθεν ουτε νομιστεον ουτε κλητεον υπαρχειν αυτους θεους ου δυνατων οντων αυτων ουτε κρισιν κριναι ουτε ευ ποιειν ανθρωποις	64 Know, therefore, that they are not gods, and do not fear them.
65 γνοντες ουν οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι μη φοβηθητε αυτους	65 Kings they neither curse nor bless.
66 ουτε γαρ βασιλευσιν ου μη καταρασωνται ουτε μη ευλογησωσι	66 They show the nations no signs in the heavens, nor are they brilliant like the sun, nor shining like the moon.
67 σημεια τε εν εθνεσιν εν ουρανω ου μη δειξωσιν ουδε ως ο ηλιος λαμψουσιν ουδε φωτισουσιν ως σεληνη	67 The beasts which can help themselves by fleeing to shelter are better than they are.
68 τα θηρια εστιν κρειττω αυτων α δυνανται εκφυγοντα εις σκεπην εαυτα ωφελησαι	68 Thus in no way is it clear to us that they are gods; so do not fear them.
69 κατ' ουδενα ουν τροπον εστιν ημιν φανερον οτι εισιν θεοι διο μη φοβηθητε αυτους	69 For like a scarecrow in a cucumber patch, that is no protection, are their wooden, gilded, silvered gods.
70 ωσπερ γαρ εν σικυηρατω προβασκανιον ουδεν φυλασσον ουτως οι θεοι αυτων εισιν ξυλινοι και περιχρυσοι και περιαργυροι	70 Just like a thornbush in a garden on which perches every kind of bird, or like a corpse hurled into darkness, are their silvered and gilded wooden gods.
71 τον αυτον τροπον και τη εν κηπω ραμνω εφ' ης παν ορνεον επικαθηται ωσαυτως δε και νεκρω ερριμμενω εν σκοτει αφωμοιωνται οι θεοι αυτων ξυλινοι και περιχρυσοι και περιαργυροι	71 From the rotting of the purple and the linen upon them, it can be known that they are not gods; they themselves will in the end be comsumed, and be a disgrace in the land.
72 απο τε της πορφυρας και της μαρμαρου της επ' αυτοις σηπομενης γνωσεσθε οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι αυτα τε εξ υστερου βρωθησονται και εσται ονειδος εν τη χωρα	72 The better for the just man who has no idols: he shall be far from disgrace!
73 κρεισσων ουν ανθρωπος δικαιος ουκ εχων ειδωλα εσται γαρ μακραν απο ονειδισμου .