Baruch 6

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	LXX
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:	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
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.	2 δια τας αμαρτιας ας ημαρτηκατε εναντιον του θεου αχθησεσθε εις βαβυλωνα αιχμαλωτοι υπο ναβουχοδονοσορ βασιλεως των βαβυλωνιων
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.	3 εισελθοντες ουν εις βαβυλωνα εσεσθε εκει ετη πλειονα και χρονον μακρον εως γενεων επτα μετα τουτο δε εξαξω υμας εκειθεν μετ' ειρηνης
4 Take care that you yourselves do not imitate their alien example and stand in fear of them,	4 νυνι δε οψεσθε εν βαβυλωνι θεους αργυρους και χρυσους και ξυλινους επ' ωμοις αιρομενους δεικνυντας φοβον τοις εθνεσιν
5 when you see the crowd before them and behind worshiping them. Rather, say in your hearts, "You, O LORD, are to be worshiped!";	5 ευλαβηθητε ουν μη και υμεις αφομοιωθεντες τοις αλλοφυλοις αφομοιωθητε και φοβος υμας λαβη επ' αυτοις
6 for my angel is with you, and he is the custodian of your lives.	6 ιδοντας οχλον εμπροσθεν και οπισθεν αυτων προσκυνουντας αυτα ειπατε δε τη διανοια σοι δει προσκυνειν δεσποτα
7 Their tongues are smoothed by woodworkers; they are covered with gold and silver-but they are a fraud, and cannot speak.	7 ο γαρ αγγελος μου μεθ' υμων εστιν αυτος τε εκζητων τας ψυχας υμων
8 People bring gold, as to a maiden in love with ornament,	8 γλωσσα γαρ αυτων εστιν κατεξυσμενη υπο τεκτονος αυτα τε περιχρυσα και περιαργυρα ψευδη δ' εστιν και ου δυνανται λαλειν
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,	9 και ωσπερ παρθενω φιλοκοσμω λαμβανοντες χρυσιον κατασκευαζουσιν στεφανους επι τας κεφαλας των θεων αυτων
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;	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
11 but though they are wrapped in purple clothing, they are not safe from corrosion or insects.	11 κοσμουσι τε αυτους ως ανθρωπους τοις ενδυμασιν θεους αργυρους και χρυσους και ξυλινους ουτοι δε ου διασωζονται απο ιου και βρωματων
12 They wipe their faces clean of the house dust which is thick upon them.	12 περιβεβλημενων αυτων ιματισμον πορφυρουν εκμασσονται το προσωπον αυτων δια τον εκ της οικιας κονιορτον ος εστιν πλειων επ' αυτοις
13 Each has a scepter, like the human ruler of a district; but none does away with those that offend against it.	13 και σκηπτρον εχει ως ανθρωπος κριτης χωρας ος τον εις αυτον αμαρτανοντα ουκ ανελει
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.	14 εχει δε εγχειριδιον εν δεξια και πελεκυν εαυτον δε εκ πολεμου και ληστων ουκ εξελειται
15 As useless as one's broken tools	15 οθεν γνωριμοι εισιν ουκ οντες θεοι μη ουν φοβηθητε αυτους
16 are their gods, set up in their houses; their eyes are full of dust from the feet of those who enter.	16 ωσπερ γαρ σκευος ανθρωπου συντριβεν αχρειον γινεται τοιουτοι υπαρχουσιν οι θεοι αυτων καθιδρυμενων αυτων εν τοις οικοις
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.	17 οι οφθαλμοι αυτων πληρεις εισιν κονιορτου απο των ποδων των εισπορευομενων
18 They light more lamps for them than for themselves, yet not one of these can they see.	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
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.	19 λυχνους καιουσιν και πλειους η εαυτοις ων ουδενα δυνανται ιδειν
20 Their faces are blackened by the smoke of the house.	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
21 Bats and swallows alight on their bodies and on their heads; and cats as well as birds.	21 μεμελανωμενοι το προσωπον αυτων απο του καπνου του εκ της οικιας
22 Know, therefore, that they are not gods, and do not fear them.	22 επι το σωμα αυτων και επι την κεφαλην εφιπτανται νυκτεριδες χελιδονες και τα ορνεα ωσαυτως δε και οι αιλουροι
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.	23 οθεν γνωσεσθε οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι μη ουν φοβεισθε αυτα
24 They are bought at any price, and there is no spirit in them.	24 το γαρ χρυσιον ο περικεινται εις καλλος εαν μη τις εκμαξη τον ιον ου μη στιλψωσιν ουδε γαρ οτε εχωνευοντο ησθανοντο
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	25 εκ πασης τιμης ηγορασμενα εστιν εν οις ουκ εστιν πνευμα
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.	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
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;	27 μητε εαν τις αυτο ορθον στηση δι' εαυτου κινηθησεται μητε εαν κλιθη ου μη ορθωθη αλλ' ωσπερ νεκροις τα δωρα αυτοις παρατιθεται
28 the menstruous and women in childbed handle their sacrifices. Knowing from this that they are not gods, do not fear them.	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
29 How can they be called gods? For women bring the offerings to these gods of silver and gold and wood;	29 γνοντες ουν απο τουτων οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι μη φοβηθητε αυτους
30 and in their temples the priests squat with torn tunic and with shaven hair and beard, and with their heads uncovered.	30 ποθεν γαρ κληθειησαν θεοι οτι γυναικες παρατιθεασιν θεοις αργυροις και χρυσοις και ξυλινοις
31 They shout and wail before their gods as others do at a funeral banquet.	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
32 The priests take some of their clothing and put it on their wives and children.	32 ωρυονται δε βοωντες εναντιον των θεων αυτων ωσπερ τινες εν περιδειπνω νεκρου
33 Whether they are treated well or ill by anyone, they cannot requite it; they can neither set up a king nor remove him.	33 απο του ιματισμου αυτων αφελομενοι οι ιερεις ενδυουσιν τας γυναικας αυτων και τα παιδια
34 Similarly, they cannot give anyone riches or coppers; if one fails to fulfill a vow to them, they cannot exact it of him.	34 ουτε εαν κακον παθωσιν υπο τινος ουτε εαν αγαθον δυνησονται ανταποδουναι ουτε καταστησαι βασιλεα δυνανται ουτε αφελεσθαι
35 They neither save a man from death, nor deliver the weak from the strong.	35 ωσαυτως ουτε πλουτον ουτε χαλκον ου μη δυνωνται διδοναι εαν τις αυτοις ευχην ευξαμενος μη αποδω ου μη επιζητησωσιν
36 To no blind man do they restore his sight, nor do they save any man in an emergency.	36 εκ θανατου ανθρωπον ου μη ρυσωνται ουτε ηττονα απο ισχυρου ου μη εξελωνται
37 They neither pity the widow nor benefit the orphan.	37 ανθρωπον τυφλον εις ορασιν ου μη περιστησωσιν εν αναγκη ανθρωπον οντα ου μη εξελωνται
38 These gilded and silvered wooden statues are like stones from the mountains; and their worshipers will be put to shame.	38 χηραν ου μη ελεησωσιν ουτε ορφανον ευ ποιησουσιν
39 How then can it be thought or claimed that they are gods?	39 τοις απο του ορους λιθοις ωμοιωμενοι εισιν τα ξυλινα και τα περιχρυσα και τα περιαργυρα οι δε θεραπευοντες αυτα καταισχυνθησονται
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;	40 πως ουν νομιστεον η κλητεον αυτους υπαρχειν θεους
41 and they are themselves unable to reflect and abandon these gods, for they have no sense.	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
42 And their women, girt with cords, sit by the roads, burning chaff for incense;	42 και ου δυνανται αυτοι νοησαντες καταλιπειν αυτα αισθησιν γαρ ουκ εχουσιν
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.	43 αι δε γυναικες περιθεμεναι σχοινια εν ταις οδοις εγκαθηνται θυμιωσαι τα πιτυρα
44 All that takes place around these gods is a fraud: how then can it be thought or claimed that they are gods?	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
45 They are produced by woodworkers and goldsmiths, and they are nothing else than what these craftsmen wish them to be.	45 παντα τα γινομενα αυτοις εστιν ψευδη πως ουν νομιστεον η κλητεον ωστε θεους αυτους υπαρχειν
46 Even those who produce them are not long-lived;	46 υπο τεκτονων και χρυσοχοων κατεσκευασμενα εισιν ουθεν αλλο μη γενωνται η ο βουλονται οι τεχνιται αυτα γενεσθαι
47 how then can what they have produced be gods? They have left frauds and opprobrium to their successors.	47 αυτοι τε οι κατασκευαζοντες αυτα ου μη γενωνται πολυχρονιοι πως τε δη μελλει τα υπ' αυτων κατασκευασθεντα ειναι θεοι
48 For when war or disaster comes upon them, the priests deliberate among themselves where they can hide with them.	48 κατελιπον γαρ ψευδη και ονειδος τοις επιγινομενοις
49 How then can one not know that these are no-gods, which do not save themselves either from war or from disaster?	49 οταν γαρ επελθη επ' αυτα πολεμος και κακα βουλευονται προς εαυτους οι ιερεις που συναποκρυβωσι μετ' αυτων
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.	50 πως ουν ουκ εστιν αισθεσθαι οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι οι ουτε σωζουσιν εαυτους εκ πολεμου ουτε εκ κακων
51 Who does not know that they are not gods?	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
52 They set no king over the land, nor do they give men rain.	52 τινι ουν γνωστεον εστιν οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι
53 They neither vindicate their own rights, nor do they recover what is unjustly taken, for they are unable;	53 βασιλεα γαρ χωρας ου μη αναστησωσιν ουτε υετον ανθρωποις ου μη δωσιν
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.	54 κρισιν τε ου μη διακρινωσιν αυτων ουδε μη ρυσωνται αδικουμενον αδυνατοι οντες ωσπερ γαρ κορωναι ανα μεσον του ουρανου και της γης
55 They cannot resist a king, or enemy forces.	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
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;	56 βασιλει δε και πολεμιοις ου μη αντιστωσιν
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.	57 πως ουν εκδεκτεον η νομιστεον οτι εισιν θεοι
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!	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
59 The sun and moon and stars are bright, and obedient in the service for which they are sent.	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
60 Likewise the lightning, when it flashes, is a goodly sight; and the same wind blows over all the land.	60 ηλιος μεν γαρ και σεληνη και αστρα οντα λαμπρα και αποστελλομενα επι χρειας ευηκοα εισιν
61 The clouds, too, when commanded by God to proceed across the whole world, fulfill the order;	61 ωσαυτως και αστραπη οταν επιφανη ευοπτος εστιν το δ' αυτο και πνευμα εν παση χωρα πνει
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;	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
63 so that it is unthinkable, and cannot be claimed, that they are gods. They can neither execute judgment, nor benefit man.	63 ταυτα δε ουτε ταις ιδεαις ουτε ταις δυναμεσιν αυτων αφωμοιωμενα εστιν
64 Know, therefore, that they are not gods, and do not fear them.	64 οθεν ουτε νομιστεον ουτε κλητεον υπαρχειν αυτους θεους ου δυνατων οντων αυτων ουτε κρισιν κριναι ουτε ευ ποιειν ανθρωποις
65 Kings they neither curse nor bless.	65 γνοντες ουν οτι ουκ εισιν θεοι μη φοβηθητε αυτους
66 They show the nations no signs in the heavens, nor are they brilliant like the sun, nor shining like the moon.	66 ουτε γαρ βασιλευσιν ου μη καταρασωνται ουτε μη ευλογησωσι
67 The beasts which can help themselves by fleeing to shelter are better than they are.	67 σημεια τε εν εθνεσιν εν ουρανω ου μη δειξωσιν ουδε ως ο ηλιος λαμψουσιν ουδε φωτισουσιν ως σεληνη
68 Thus in no way is it clear to us that they are gods; so do not fear them.	68 τα θηρια εστιν κρειττω αυτων α δυνανται εκφυγοντα εις σκεπην εαυτα ωφελησαι
69 For like a scarecrow in a cucumber patch, that is no protection, are their wooden, gilded, silvered gods.	69 κατ' ουδενα ουν τροπον εστιν ημιν φανερον οτι εισιν θεοι διο μη φοβηθητε αυτους
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.	70 ωσπερ γαρ εν σικυηρατω προβασκανιον ουδεν φυλασσον ουτως οι θεοι αυτων εισιν 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.	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
72 The better for the just man who has no idols: he shall be far from disgrace!	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
	73 κρεισσων ουν ανθρωπος δικαιος ουκ εχων ειδωλα εσται γαρ μακραν απο ονειδισμου .