LXX_WH(i)
1 διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἃς ἡμαρτήκατε ἐναντίον τοῦ θεοῦ ἀχθήσεσθε εἰς βαβυλῶνα αἰχμάλωτοι ὑπὸ ναβουχοδονοσορ βασιλέως τῶν βαβυλωνίων 2 εἰσελθόντες οὖν εἰς βαβυλῶνα ἔσεσθε ἐκεῖ ἔτη πλείονα καὶ χρόνον μακρὸν ἕως γενεῶν ἑπτά μετὰ τοῦτο δὲ ἐξάξω ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖθεν μετ' εἰρήνης 3 νυνὶ δὲ ὄψεσθε ἐν βαβυλῶνι θεοὺς ἀργυροῦς καὶ χρυσοῦς καὶ ξυλίνους ἐπ' ὤμοις αἰρομένους δεικνύντας φόβον τοῖς ἔθνεσιν 4 εὐλαβήθητε οὖν μὴ καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀφομοιωθέντες τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις ἀφομοιωθῆτε καὶ φόβος ὑμᾶς λάβῃ ἐπ' αὐτοῖς 5 ἰδόντας ὄχλον ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν αὐτῶν προσκυνοῦντας αὐτά εἴπατε δὲ τῇ διανοίᾳ σοὶ δεῖ προσκυνεῖν δέσποτα 6 ὁ γὰρ ἄγγελός μου μεθ' ὑμῶν ἐστιν αὐτός τε ἐκζητῶν τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν 7 γλῶσσα γὰρ αὐτῶν ἐστιν κατεξυσμένη ὑπὸ τέκτονος αὐτά τε περίχρυσα καὶ περιάργυρα ψευδῆ δ' ἐστὶν καὶ οὐ δύνανται λαλεῖν 8 καὶ ὥσπερ παρθένῳ φιλοκόσμῳ λαμβάνοντες χρυσίον κατασκευάζουσιν στεφάνους ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν 9 ἔστι δὲ καὶ ὅτε ὑφαιρούμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς ἀπὸ τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν χρυσίον καὶ ἀργύριον εἰς ἑαυτοὺς καταναλώσουσιν δώσουσιν δὲ ἀπ' αὐτῶν καὶ ταῖς ἐπὶ τοῦ τέγους πόρναις 10 κοσμοῦσί τε αὐτοὺς ὡς ἀνθρώπους τοῖς ἐνδύμασιν θεοὺς ἀργυροῦς καὶ χρυσοῦς καὶ ξυλίνους οὗτοι δὲ οὐ διασῴζονται ἀπὸ ἰοῦ καὶ βρωμάτων 11 περιβεβλημένων αὐτῶν ἱματισμὸν πορφυροῦν ἐκμάσσονται τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν διὰ τὸν ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας κονιορτόν ὅς ἐστιν πλείων ἐπ' αὐτοῖς 12 καὶ σκῆπτρον ἔχει ὡς ἄνθρωπος κριτὴς χώρας ὃς τὸν εἰς αὐτὸν ἁμαρτάνοντα οὐκ ἀνελεῖ 13 ἔχει δὲ ἐγχειρίδιον ἐν δεξιᾷ καὶ πέλεκυν ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐκ πολέμου καὶ λῃστῶν οὐκ ἐξελεῖται 14 ὅθεν γνώριμοί εἰσιν οὐκ ὄντες θεοί μὴ οὖν φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς 15 ὥσπερ γὰρ σκεῦος ἀνθρώπου συντριβὲν ἀχρεῖον γίνεται τοιοῦτοι ὑπάρχουσιν οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν καθιδρυμένων αὐτῶν ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις 16 οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν πλήρεις εἰσὶν κονιορτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ποδῶν τῶν εἰσπορευομένων 17 καὶ ὥσπερ τινὶ ἠδικηκότι βασιλέα περιπεφραγμέναι εἰσὶν αἱ αὐλαὶ ὡς ἐπὶ θανάτῳ ἀπηγμένῳ τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν ὀχυροῦσιν οἱ ἱερεῖς θυρώμασίν τε καὶ κλείθροις καὶ μοχλοῖς ὅπως ὑπὸ τῶν λῃστῶν μὴ συληθῶσι 18 λύχνους καίουσιν καὶ πλείους ἢ ἑαυτοῖς ὧν οὐδένα δύνανται ἰδεῖν 19 ἔστιν μὲν ὥσπερ δοκὸς τῶν ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας τὰς δὲ καρδίας αὐτῶν φασιν ἐκλείχεσθαι τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἑρπετῶν κατεσθόντων αὐτούς τε καὶ τὸν ἱματισμὸν αὐτῶν οὐκ αἰσθάνονται 20 μεμελανωμένοι τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ καπνοῦ τοῦ ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας 21 ἐπὶ τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν ἐφίπτανται νυκτερίδες χελιδόνες καὶ τὰ ὄρνεα ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ οἱ αἴλουροι 22 ὅθεν γνώσεσθε ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί μὴ οὖν φοβεῖσθε αὐτά 23 τὸ γὰρ χρυσίον ὃ περίκεινται εἰς κάλλος ἐὰν μή τις ἐκμάξῃ τὸν ἰόν οὐ μὴ στίλψωσιν οὐδὲ γάρ ὅτε ἐχωνεύοντο ᾐσθάνοντο 24 ἐκ πάσης τιμῆς ἠγορασμένα ἐστίν ἐν οἷς οὐκ ἔστιν πνεῦμα 25 ἄνευ ποδῶν ἐπ' ὤμοις φέρονται ἐνδεικνύμενοι τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀτιμίαν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις αἰσχύνονταί τε καὶ οἱ θεραπεύοντες αὐτὰ διὰ τό μήποτε ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν πέσῃ δι' αὐτῶν ἀνίστασθαι 26 μήτε ἐάν τις αὐτὸ ὀρθὸν στήσῃ δι' ἑαυτοῦ κινηθήσεται μήτε ἐὰν κλιθῇ οὐ μὴ ὀρθωθῇ ἀλλ' ὥσπερ νεκροῖς τὰ δῶρα αὐτοῖς παρατίθεται 27 τὰς δὲ θυσίας αὐτῶν ἀποδόμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς αὐτῶν καταχρῶνται ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες αὐτῶν ἀπ' αὐτῶν ταριχεύουσαι οὔτε πτωχῷ οὔτε ἀδυνάτῳ μεταδιδόασιν τῶν θυσιῶν αὐτῶν ἀποκαθημένη καὶ λεχὼ ἅπτονται 28 γνόντες οὖν ἀπὸ τούτων ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς 29 πόθεν γὰρ κληθείησαν θεοί ὅτι γυναῖκες παρατιθέασιν θεοῖς ἀργυροῖς καὶ χρυσοῖς καὶ ξυλίνοις 30 καὶ ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις αὐτῶν οἱ ἱερεῖς διφρεύουσιν ἔχοντες τοὺς χιτῶνας διερρωγότας καὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς καὶ τοὺς πώγωνας ἐξυρημένους ὧν αἱ κεφαλαὶ ἀκάλυπτοί εἰσιν 31 ὠρύονται δὲ βοῶντες ἐναντίον τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν ὥσπερ τινὲς ἐν περιδείπνῳ νεκροῦ 32 ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱματισμοῦ αὐτῶν ἀφελόμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐνδύουσιν τὰς γυναῖκας αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ παιδία 33 οὔτε ἐὰν κακὸν πάθωσιν ὑπό τινος οὔτε ἐὰν ἀγαθόν δυνήσονται ἀνταποδοῦναι οὔτε καταστῆσαι βασιλέα δύνανται οὔτε ἀφελέσθαι 34 ὡσαύτως οὔτε πλοῦτον οὔτε χαλκὸν οὐ μὴ δύνωνται διδόναι ἐάν τις αὐτοῖς εὐχὴν εὐξάμενος μὴ ἀποδῷ οὐ μὴ ἐπιζητήσωσιν 35 ἐκ θανάτου ἄνθρωπον οὐ μὴ ῥύσωνται οὔτε ἥττονα ἀπὸ ἰσχυροῦ οὐ μὴ ἐξέλωνται 36 ἄνθρωπον τυφλὸν εἰς ὅρασιν οὐ μὴ περιστήσωσιν ἐν ἀνάγκῃ ἄνθρωπον ὄντα οὐ μὴ ἐξέλωνται 37 χήραν οὐ μὴ ἐλεήσωσιν οὔτε ὀρφανὸν εὖ ποιήσουσιν 38 τοῖς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους λίθοις ὡμοιωμένοι εἰσὶν τὰ ξύλινα καὶ τὰ περίχρυσα καὶ τὰ περιάργυρα οἱ δὲ θεραπεύοντες αὐτὰ καταισχυνθήσονται 39 πῶς οὖν νομιστέον ἢ κλητέον αὐτοὺς ὑπάρχειν θεούς 40 ἔτι δὲ καὶ αὐτῶν τῶν χαλδαίων ἀτιμαζόντων αὐτά οἵ ὅταν ἴδωσιν ἐνεὸν οὐ δυνάμενον λαλῆσαι προσενεγκάμενοι τὸν βῆλον ἀξιοῦσιν φωνῆσαι ὡς δυνατοῦ ὄντος αὐτοῦ αἰσθέσθαι 41 καὶ οὐ δύνανται αὐτοὶ νοήσαντες καταλιπεῖν αὐτά αἴσθησιν γὰρ οὐκ ἔχουσιν 42 αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες περιθέμεναι σχοινία ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς ἐγκάθηνται θυμιῶσαι τὰ πίτυρα 43 ὅταν δέ τις αὐτῶν ἐφελκυσθεῖσα ὑπό τινος τῶν παραπορευομένων κοιμηθῇ τὴν πλησίον ὀνειδίζει ὅτι οὐκ ἠξίωται ὥσπερ καὶ αὐτὴ οὔτε τὸ σχοινίον αὐτῆς διερράγη 44 πάντα τὰ γινόμενα αὐτοῖς ἐστιν ψευδῆ πῶς οὖν νομιστέον ἢ κλητέον ὥστε θεοὺς αὐτοὺς ὑπάρχειν 45 ὑπὸ τεκτόνων καὶ χρυσοχόων κατεσκευασμένα εἰσίν οὐθὲν ἄλλο μὴ γένωνται ἢ ὃ βούλονται οἱ τεχνῖται αὐτὰ γενέσθαι 46 αὐτοί τε οἱ κατασκευάζοντες αὐτὰ οὐ μὴ γένωνται πολυχρόνιοι πῶς τε δὴ μέλλει τὰ ὑπ' αὐτῶν κατασκευασθέντα εἶναι θεοί 47 κατέλιπον γὰρ ψεύδη καὶ ὄνειδος τοῖς ἐπιγινομένοις 48 ὅταν γὰρ ἐπέλθῃ ἐπ' αὐτὰ πόλεμος καὶ κακά βουλεύονται πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς οἱ ἱερεῖς ποῦ συναποκρυβῶσι μετ' αὐτῶν 49 πῶς οὖν οὐκ ἔστιν αἰσθέσθαι ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί οἳ οὔτε σῴζουσιν ἑαυτοὺς ἐκ πολέμου οὔτε ἐκ κακῶν 50 ὑπάρχοντα γὰρ ξύλινα καὶ περίχρυσα καὶ περιάργυρα γνωσθήσεται μετὰ ταῦτα ὅτι ἐστὶν ψευδῆ τοῖς ἔθνεσι πᾶσι τοῖς τε βασιλεῦσι φανερὸν ἔσται ὅτι οὔκ εἰσι θεοὶ ἀλλὰ ἔργα χειρῶν ἀνθρώπων καὶ οὐδὲν θεοῦ ἔργον ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐστιν 51 τίνι οὖν γνωστέον ἐστὶν ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί 52 βασιλέα γὰρ χώρας οὐ μὴ ἀναστήσωσιν οὔτε ὑετὸν ἀνθρώποις οὐ μὴ δῶσιν 53 κρίσιν τε οὐ μὴ διακρίνωσιν αὐτῶν οὐδὲ μὴ ῥύσωνται ἀδικούμενον ἀδύνατοι ὄντες ὥσπερ γὰρ κορῶναι ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς 54 καὶ γὰρ ὅταν ἐμπέσῃ εἰς οἰκίαν θεῶν ξυλίνων ἢ περιχρύσων ἢ περιαργύρων πῦρ οἱ μὲν ἱερεῖς αὐτῶν φεύξονται καὶ διασωθήσονται αὐτοὶ δὲ ὥσπερ δοκοὶ μέσοι κατακαυθήσονται 55 βασιλεῖ δὲ καὶ πολεμίοις οὐ μὴ ἀντιστῶσιν 56 πῶς οὖν ἐκδεκτέον ἢ νομιστέον ὅτι εἰσὶν θεοί 57 οὔτε ἀπὸ κλεπτῶν οὔτε ἀπὸ λῃστῶν οὐ μὴ διασωθῶσιν θεοὶ ξύλινοι καὶ περιάργυροι καὶ περίχρυσοι ὧν οἱ ἰσχύοντες περιελοῦνται τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον καὶ τὸν ἱματισμὸν τὸν περικείμενον αὐτοῖς ἀπελεύσονται ἔχοντες οὔτε ἑαυτοῖς οὐ μὴ βοηθήσωσιν 58 ὥστε κρεῖσσον εἶναι βασιλέα ἐπιδεικνύμενον τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀνδρείαν ἢ σκεῦος ἐν οἰκίᾳ χρήσιμον ἐφ' ᾧ χρήσεται ὁ κεκτημένος ἢ οἱ ψευδεῖς θεοί ἢ καὶ θύρα ἐν οἰκίᾳ διασῴζουσα τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ὄντα ἢ οἱ ψευδεῖς θεοί καὶ ξύλινος στῦλος ἐν βασιλείοις ἢ οἱ ψευδεῖς θεοί 59 ἥλιος μὲν γὰρ καὶ σελήνη καὶ ἄστρα ὄντα λαμπρὰ καὶ ἀποστελλόμενα ἐπὶ χρείας εὐήκοά εἰσιν 60 ὡσαύτως καὶ ἀστραπή ὅταν ἐπιφανῇ εὔοπτός ἐστιν τὸ δ' αὐτὸ καὶ πνεῦμα ἐν πάσῃ χώρᾳ πνεῖ 61 καὶ νεφέλαις ὅταν ἐπιταγῇ ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπιπορεύεσθαι ἐφ' ὅλην τὴν οἰκουμένην συντελοῦσι τὸ ταχθέν τό τε πῦρ ἐξαποσταλὲν ἄνωθεν ἐξαναλῶσαι ὄρη καὶ δρυμοὺς ποιεῖ τὸ συνταχθέν 62 ταῦτα δὲ οὔτε ταῖς ἰδέαις οὔτε ταῖς δυνάμεσιν αὐτῶν ἀφωμοιωμένα ἐστίν 63 ὅθεν οὔτε νομιστέον οὔτε κλητέον ὑπάρχειν αὐτοὺς θεούς οὐ δυνατῶν ὄντων αὐτῶν οὔτε κρίσιν κρῖναι οὔτε εὖ ποιεῖν ἀνθρώποις 64 γνόντες οὖν ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς 65 οὔτε γὰρ βασιλεῦσιν οὐ μὴ καταράσωνται οὔτε μὴ εὐλογήσωσι 66 σημεῖά τε ἐν ἔθνεσιν ἐν οὐρανῷ οὐ μὴ δείξωσιν οὐδὲ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος λάμψουσιν οὐδὲ φωτίσουσιν ὡς σελήνη 67 τὰ θηρία ἐστὶν κρείττω αὐτῶν ἃ δύνανται ἐκφυγόντα εἰς σκέπην ἑαυτὰ ὠφελῆσαι 68 κατ' οὐδένα οὖν τρόπον ἐστὶν ἡμῖν φανερὸν ὅτι εἰσὶν θεοί διὸ μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς 69 ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐν σικυηράτῳ προβασκάνιον οὐδὲν φυλάσσον οὕτως οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν εἰσιν ξύλινοι καὶ περίχρυσοι καὶ περιάργυροι 70 τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον καὶ τῇ ἐν κήπῳ ῥάμνῳ ἐφ' ἧς πᾶν ὄρνεον ἐπικάθηται ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ νεκρῷ ἐρριμμένῳ ἐν σκότει ἀφωμοίωνται οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν ξύλινοι καὶ περίχρυσοι καὶ περιάργυροι 71 ἀπό τε τῆς πορφύρας καὶ τῆς μαρμάρου τῆς ἐπ' αὐτοῖς σηπομένης γνώσεσθε ὅτι οὔκ εἰσιν θεοί αὐτά τε ἐξ ὑστέρου βρωθήσονται καὶ ἔσται ὄνειδος ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ 72 κρείσσων οὖν ἄνθρωπος δίκαιος οὐκ ἔχων εἴδωλα ἔσται γὰρ μακρὰν ἀπὸ ὀνειδισμοῦ
Epistle of Jeremiah
Wycliffe(i)
1 For the synnes which ye synneden bifor God, ye schulen be led prisoneris in to Babiloyne, of Nabugodonosor, kyng of Babiloynes.
2 Therfor ye schulen entre in to Babiloyne, and ye schulen be there ful many yeeris, and in to long tyme, til to seuene generaciouns; forsothe after this Y schal lede out you fro thennus with pees.
3 But now ye schulen se in Babiloyne goddis of gold, and of siluer, and of stoon, and of tree, to be borun on schuldris, schewynge drede to hethene men.
4 Therfor se ye, lest also ye be maad lijk alien dedis, and lest ye dreden, and drede take you in hem.
5 Therfor whanne ye seen a cumpeny bihynde and bifore, worschipe ye God, and seie in youre hertes, Lord God, it bihoueth that thou be worschipid.
6 Forsothe myn aungel is with you, but Y schal seke youre soulis.
7 For whi the trees of hem ben polischid of a carpenter; also tho ben araied with gold, and araied with siluer, and ben false, and moun not speke.
8 And as to a virgyn louynge ournementis, so, whanne gold is takun, ourenementis ben maad to idols.
9 Certis the goddis of hem han goldun corouns on her heedis; wherfor prestis withdrawen fro tho goddis gold and siluer, and spenden it in hem silf.
10 Sotheli thei yyuen also of that to hooris, and araien hooris; and eft whanne thei resseyuen that of hooris, thei araien her goddis.
11 But tho goddis ben not delyuered fro rust and mouyte.
12 Forsothe whanne `tho goddis ben hilid with a cloth of purpure, preestis schulen wipe the face of tho, for dust of the hous, which is ful myche among tho goddis.
13 Forsothe idols han a septre, as a man hath; as the iuge of a cuntrei, that sleeth not a man synnynge ayens him silf.
14 Also tho han in the hond a swerd, and ax; but tho delyueren not hem silf fro batel and fro theues. Wherfor be it knowun to you, that tho ben not goddis;
15 therfor worschipe ye not tho. For as a brokun vessel of a man is maad vnprofitable, siche also ben the goddis of hem.
16 Whanne tho ben set in the hous, the iyen of tho ben ful of dust of the feet of men entrynge.
17 And as yatis ben set aboute a man that offendide the kyng, ether as whanne a deed man is brouyt to the sepulcre, so preestis kepen sikirli the doris with closyngis and lockis, lest tho be robbid of theuys.
18 Thei teenden lanternes to tho, and sotheli many lanternes, of which tho moun se noon; forsothe tho ben as beemes in an hous.
19 Sotheli men seien that serpentis, that ben of erthe, licken out the hertis of tho; while the serpentis eten tho, and her cloth, and tho feelen not.
20 The faces of tho ben blake of the smoke, which is maad in the hous.
21 Nyyt crowis and swalewis fleen aboue the bodi of tho, and aboue the heed of tho, and briddis also, and cattis in lijk maner.
22 Wherfor wite ye, that tho ben not goddis; therfor drede ye not tho.
23 Also the gold which tho han, is to fairnesse; no but summan wipe awei the rust, tho schulen not schyne. For tho feliden not, the while tho weren wellid togidere.
24 Tho ben bouyt of al prijs, in which no spirit is in tho.
25 Tho without feet ben borun on schuldris of men, and schewen opynli her vnnoblei to men; be thei schent also that worschipen tho.
26 Therfor if tho fallen doun to erthe, tho schulen not rise of hem silf; and if ony man settith that idol upriyt, it schal not stonde bi it silf, but as to deed thingis schuldris schulen be put to tho.
27 The prestis of tho sillen the sacrifices of tho, and mysvsen; in lijk maner and the wymmen of hem rauyschen awei, nether to a sijk man, nether to a begger tho yyuen ony thing.
28 Of her sacrifices foule wymmen, and in vncleene blood, touchen. Therfor wite ye bi these thingis, that tho ben not goddis, and drede ye not tho.
29 For wherof ben tho clepid goddis? For wymmen setten sacrifices to goddis of siluer, and of gold, and of tre;
30 and preestis that han cootis to-rent, and heedis and berd schauun, whos heedis ben nakid, sitten in the housis of tho.
31 Sotheli thei roren and crien ayens her goddis, as in the soper of a deed man.
32 Prestis taken awei the clothis of tho, and clothen her wyues, and her children. And if tho suffren ony thing of yuel of ony man,
33 ether if tho suffren ony thing of good, tho moun not yelde. Nether tho moun ordeyne a kyng, nethir do awei.
34 In lijk maner tho moun nether yyue richessis, nether yilde yuel. If ony man makith a vow to tho, and yeldith not, tho axen not this.
35 Tho delyueren not a man fro deth, nether rauyschen a sijk man fro a miytiere.
36 Tho restoren not a blynd man to siyt; tho schulen not delyuere a man fro nede.
37 Tho schulen not haue merci on a widewe, nether tho schulen do good to fadirles children.
38 Her goddis of tre, and of stoon, and of gold, and of siluer, ben lijk stoonys of the mounteyn; forsothe thei that worschipen tho, schulen be schent.
39 Hou therfor is it to gesse, ether to seie,
40 that tho ben goddis? for whi yit whanne Caldeis onouren not tho. Which whanne thei heren that a doumb man mai not speke, offren hym to Bel, and axen of hym to speke;
41 as if thei that han no stiryng, moun feel. And thei, whanne thei schulen vndurstonde, schulen forsake tho idols; for tho goddis of hem han no wit.
42 Forsothe wymmen gird with roopis sitten in weies, and kyndelen boonys of olyues.
43 Sotheli whanne ony of tho wymmen is drawun awei of ony man passynge, and slepith with hym, sche dispisith her neiyboresse, that sche is not hadde worthi as hir silf, nether hir roop is brokun.
44 Forsothe alle thingis that ben don to tho, ben false. Hou therfor is it to gesse, ethir to seie, that tho ben goddis?
45 Forsothe the idols ben maad of smithis, and of goldsmithis. Tho schulen be noon other thing, no but that that prestis wolen, that tho be.
46 Also thilke goldsmithis that maken tho, ben not of myche tyme; therfor whether tho thingis that ben maad of them moun be goddis?
47 Sotheli thei leften false thingis, and schenschipe to men to comynge aftirward.
48 For whi whanne batels and yuels comen on hem, preestis thenken, where thei schulen hide hem silf with tho.
49 Hou therfor owen tho to be demyd, that tho ben goddis, which nether delyueren hem silf fro batel, nether delyueren hem silf fro yuelis?
50 For whi whanne tho ben of tree, and of stoon, and of gold, and of siluer, it schal be knowun aftirward of alle folkis, and kyngis, that tho thingis ben false, that ben maad open; for tho ben not goddis, but the werkis of hondis of men, and no werk of God is with tho.
51 Wherof therfor it is knowun, that tho ben not goddis, but the werkis of hondis of men, and no werk of God is in tho.
52 Tho reisen not a kyng to a cuntrei, nether schulen yyue reyn to men.
53 Also tho schulen not deme doom, nether tho schulen delyuere the cuntrei fro wrong.
54 For tho moun no thing, as litle crowis bitwixe the myddis of heuene and of erthe. For whanne fier fallith in to the hous of goddis of tree, and of gold, and of siluer, sotheli the prestis of tho schulen fle, and schulen be delyuered; but tho schulen be brent as beemys in the myddis.
55 Forsothe tho schulen not ayen stonde a kyng and batel. Hou therfor is it to gesse, or to resseyue, that tho ben goddis?
56 Goddis of tree, and of stoon, and of gold and of siluer, schulen not delyuere hem silf fro nyyt theues, nether fro dai theuys, and wickid men ben strongere than tho goddis.
57 Thei schulen take awei gold, and siluer, and cloth, bi which tho ben hilid, and thei schulen go awei; nether tho helpen hem silf.
58 Therfor it is betere to be a kyng schewynge his vertu, ether a profitable vessel in the hous, in which he schal haue glorie that weldith it, than false goddis; ether a dore in the hous, that kepith tho thingis that ben in it, is betere than false goddis.
59 Forsothe the sunne, and moone, and sterris, whan tho ben briyt, and sent out to profitis, obeien.
60 In lijk maner and leit, whanne it apperith, is cleer. Sotheli the same thing and wynd brethith in ech cuntrei.
61 And cloudis, to whiche, whanne it is comaundid of God to go thorouy al the world, perfourmen that, that is comaundid to tho.
62 Also fier `that is sent fro aboue, to waste mounteyns and wodis, doith that, that is comaundid to it; but these idols ben not lijk to oon of tho thingis, nether bi fourmes, nether bi vertues.
63 Wherfor it is nether to gesse, nether to seie, that tho ben goddis, whanne tho moun not nether deme doom, nether do to men.
64 Therfor wite ye that tho ben not goddis, and drede ye not tho.
65 For tho schulen nether curse, nethir schulen blesse kyngis.
66 Also tho schewen not to hethene men signes in heuene, nether tho schulen schyne as the sunne, nether tho schulen yyue liyt as the moone.
67 Beestis that moun fle vndur a roof, and do profit to hem silf, ben betere than tho.
68 Therfor bi no maner it is open to you, that tho ben goddis.
69 For which thing drede ye not tho. For whi as `a bugge, either a man of raggis, in a place where gourdis wexen, kepith no thing, so ben her goddis of tree, and of siluer, and of gold.
70 In the same maner and a whijt thorn in a gardyn kepith no thing, on which thorn ech brid sittith, in lijk maner and her goddis of tree, and of gold, and of siluer, ben lijk a deed man cast forth in derknessis.
71 Also of purpur and of marble, whiche thei holden aboue it; therfor ye schulen wite, that tho ben not goddis. Also tho ben etun at the laste, and it schal be in to schenschipe in the cuntrei.
72 Betere is a iust man, that hath no symylacris, for whi he schal be fer fro schenschipis.
KJV(i)
1 A copy of an epistle, which Jeremy sent unto them which were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to certify them, as it was commanded him of God.
2 Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.
3 So when ye be come unto Babylon, ye shall remain there many years, and for a long season, namely, seven generations: and after that I will bring you away peaceably from thence.
4 Now shall ye see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.
5 Beware therefore that ye in no wise be like to strangers, neither be ye and of them, when ye see the multitude before them and behind them, worshipping them.
6 But say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee.
7 For mine angel is with you, and I myself caring for your souls.
8 As for their tongue, it is polished by the workman, and they themselves are gilded and laid over with silver; yet are they but false, and cannot speak.
9 And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loveth to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods.
10 Sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves.
11 Yea, they will give thereof to the common harlots, and deck them as men with garments, [being] gods of silver, and gods of gold, and wood.
12 Yet cannot these gods save themselves from rust and moth, though they be covered with purple raiment.
13 They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, when there is much upon them.
14 And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth him holdeth a sceptre, as though he were a judge of the country.
15 He hath also in his right hand a dagger and an ax: but cannot deliver himself from war and thieves.
16 Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.
17 For like as a vessel that a man useth is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their gods: when they be set up in the temple, their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in.
18 And as the doors are made sure on every side upon him that offendeth the king, as being committed to suffer death: even so the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest their gods be spoiled with robbers.
19 They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof they cannot see one.
20 They are as one of the beams of the temple, yet they say their hearts are gnawed upon by things creeping out of the earth; and when they eat them and their clothes, they feel it not.
21 Their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple.
22 Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also.
23 By this ye may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.
24 Notwithstanding the gold that is about them to make them beautiful, except they wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten did they feel it.
25 The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price.
26 They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth.
27 They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they cannot rise up again of themselves: neither, if one set them upright, can they move of themselves: neither, if they be bowed down, can they make themselves straight: but they set gifts before them as unto dead men.
28 As for the things that are sacrificed unto them, their priests sell and abuse; in like manner their wives lay up part thereof in salt; but unto the poor and impotent they give nothing of it.
29 Menstruous women and women in childbed eat their sacrifices: by these things ye may know that they are no gods: fear them not.
30 For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.
31 And the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.
32 They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.
33 The priests also take off their garments, and clothe their wives and children.
34 Whether it be evil that one doeth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set up a king, nor put him down.
35 In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money: though a man make a vow unto them, and keep it not, they will not require it.
36 They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.
37 They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress.
38 They can shew no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.
39 Their gods of wood, and which are overlaid with gold and silver, are like the stones that be hewn out of the mountain: they that worship them shall be confounded.
40 How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them?
41 Who if they shall see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and intreat Bel that he may speak, as though he were able to understand.
42 Yet they cannot understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge.
43 The women also with cords about them, sitting in the ways, burn bran for perfume: but if any of them, drawn by some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.
44 Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?
45 They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.
46 And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods?
47 For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.
48 For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.
49 How then cannot men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?
50 For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:
51 And it shall manifestly appear to all nations and kings that they are no gods, but the works of men's hands, and that there is no work of God in them.
52 Who then may not know that they are no gods?
53 For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain unto men.
54 Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.
55 Whereupon when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or laid over with gold or silver, their priests will flee away, and escape; but they themselves shall be burned asunder like beams.
56 Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?
57 Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.
58 Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong take, and go away withal: neither are they able to help themselves.
59 Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power, or else a profitable vessel in an house, which the owner shall have use of, than such false gods; or to be a door in an house, to keep such things therein, than such false gods. or a pillar of wood in a a palace, than such false gods.
60 For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.
61 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.
62 And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.
63 And the fire sent from above to consume hills and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are like unto them neither in shew nor power.
64 Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing, they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men.
65 Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not,
66 For they can neither curse nor bless kings:
67 Neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.
68 The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves.
69 It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.
70 For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold.
71 And likewise their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is east into the dark.
72 And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon then1: and they themselves afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country.
73 Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach. .
LXX2012(i)
1 A copy of an epistle, which Jeremy sent to them which were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to certify them, as it was commanded him of God.
2 Because of the sins which you⌃ have committed before God, you⌃ shall be led away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.
3 So when you⌃ be come to Babylon, you⌃ shall remain there many years, and for a long season, namely, seven generations: and after that I will bring you away peaceably from thence.
4 Now shall you⌃ see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.
5 Beware therefore that you⌃ in no wise be like to strangers, neither be you⌃ and of them, when you⌃ see the multitude before them and behind them, worshipping them.
6 But say you⌃ in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship you.
7 For mine angel is with you, and I myself caring for your souls.
8 As for their tongue, it is polished by the workman, and they themselves are gilded and laid over with silver; yet are they but false, and can’t speak.
9 And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loves to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods.
10 Sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves.
11 Yes, they will give thereof to the common harlots, and deck them as men with garments, [being] gods of silver, and gods of gold, and wood.
12 Yet can’t these gods save themselves from rust and moth, though they be covered with purple raiment.
13 They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, when there is much upon them.
14 And he that can’t put to death one that offends him holds a scepter, as though he were a judge of the country.
15 He has also in his right hand a dagger and an axe: but can’t deliver himself from war and thieves.
16 Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.
17 For like as a vessel that a man uses is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their gods: when they be set up in the temple, their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in.
18 And as the doors are made sure on every side upon him that offends the king, as being committed to suffer death: even so the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest their gods be spoiled with robbers.
19 They light them candles, yes, more than for themselves, whereof they can’t see one.
20 They are as one of the beams of the temple, yet they say their hearts are gnawed upon by things creeping out of the earth; and when they eat them and their clothes, they feel it not.
21 Their faces are blacked through the smoke that comes out of the temple.
22 Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also.
23 By this you⌃ may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.
24 Notwithstanding the gold that is about them to make them beautiful, except they wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten did they feel it.
25 The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price.
26 They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet whereby they declare to men that they be nothing worth.
27 They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they can’t rise up again of themselves: neither, if one set them upright, can they move of themselves: neither, if they be bowed down, can they make themselves straight: but they set gifts before them as to dead men.
28 As for the things that are sacrificed to them, their priests sell and abuse; in like manner their wives lay up part thereof in salt; but to the poor and impotent they give nothing of it.
29 Menstruous women and women in childbed eat their sacrifices: by these things you⌃ may know that they are no gods: fear them not.
30 For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.
31 And the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes tore, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.
32 They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.
33 The priests also take off their garments, and clothe their wives and children.
34 Whether it be evil that one does to them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set up a king, nor put him down.
35 In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money: though a man make a vow to them, and keep it not, they will not require it.
36 They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.
37 They can’t restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress.
38 They can show no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.
39 Their gods of wood, and which are overlaid with gold and silver, are like the stones that be hewn out of the mountain: they that worship them shall be confounded.
40 How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them?
41 Who if they shall see one dumb that can’t speak, they bring him, and entreat Bel that he may speak, as though he were able to understand.
42 Yet they can’t understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge.
43 The women also with cords about them, sitting in the ways, burn bran for perfume: but if any of them, drawn by some that passes by, lie with him, she reproaches her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.
44 Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?
45 They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.
46 And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods?
47 For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.
48 For when there comes any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.
49 How then can’t men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?
50 For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:
51 And it shall manifestly appear to all nations and kings that they are no gods, but the works of men's hands, and that there is no work of God in them.
52 Who then may not know that they are no gods?
53 For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain to men.
54 Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.
55 Whereupon when fire falls upon the house of gods of wood, or laid over with gold or silver, their priests will flee away, and escape; but they themselves shall be burned asunder like beams.
56 Moreover they can’t withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?
57 Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.
58 Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong take, and go away withal: neither are they able to help themselves.
59 Therefore it is better to be a king that shows his power, or else a profitable vessel in an house, which the owner shall have use of, than such false gods; or to be a door in an house, to keep such things therein, than such false gods. or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods.
60 For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.
61 In like manner the lightning when it breaks forth is easy to be seen; and after the same manner the wind blows in every country.
62 And when God commands the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.
63 And the fire sent from above to consume hills and woods does as it is commanded: but these are like to them neither in show nor power.
64 Therefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing, they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good to men.
65 Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not,
66 For they can neither curse nor bless kings:
67 Neither can they show signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.
68 The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves.
69 It is then by no means manifest to us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.
70 For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keeps nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold.
71 And likewise their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sits upon; as also to a dead body, that is east into the dark.
72 And you⌃ shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rots upon them: and they themselves afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country.
73 Better therefore is the just man that has none idols: for he shall be far from reproach.