Epistle of Jeremy 1

Old Testament · Brenton Septuagint with Greek parallel

Epistle of Jeremy 1

1A 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.ΑΝΤΙΓΡΑΦΟΝ ἐπιστολῆς ἧς ἀπέστειλεν Ἱερεμίας πρὸς τοὺς ἀχθησομένους αἰχμαλώτους εἰς Βαβυλῶνα ὑπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως τῶν Βαβυλωνίων, ἀναγγεῖλαι αὐτοῖς καθότι ἐπετάγη αὐτῷ ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ.

2Because of the sins which you have committed before God, you shall be led away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.Διὰ τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἃς ἡμαρτήκατε ἐναντίον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀχθήσεσθε εἰς Βαβυλῶνα αἰχμάλωτοι ὑπὸ Ναβουχοδονόσορ βασιλέως τῶν Βαβυλωνίων.

3So 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.Εἰσελθόντες οὖν εἰς Βαβυλῶνα, ἔσεσθε ἐκεῖ ἔτη πλείονα καὶ χρόνον μακρὸν, ἕως γενεῶν ἑπτά· μετὰ τοῦτο δὲ ἐξάξω ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖθεν μετʼ εἰρήνης.

4Now shall you see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.Νυνὶ δὲ ὄψεσθε ἐν Βαβυλῶνι θεοὺς ἀργυροῦς καὶ χρυσοῦς καὶ ξυλίνους ἐπʼ ὤμοις αἰρομένους, δεικνύντας φόβον τοῖς ἔθνεσιν.

5Beware 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.Εὐλαβήθητε οὖν μὴ καὶ ὑμεῖς ἀφομοιωθέντες τοῖς ἀλλοφύλοις ἀφομοιωθῆτε, καὶ φόβος ὑμᾶς λὰβῃ ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς, ἰδόντας ὄχλον ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν αὐτῶν προσκυνοῦντας αὐτά.

6But say you in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship you.Εἴπατε δὲ τῇ διανοίᾳ, σοὶ δεῖ προσκυνεῖν, δέσποτα.

7For my angel is with you, and I myself caring for your souls.Ὁ γὰρ ἄγγελός μου μεθʼ ὑμῶν ἐστιν, αὐτός τε ἐκζητῶν τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν.

8As 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.Γλῶσσα γὰρ αὐτῶν ἐστι κατεξυσμένη ὑπὸ τέκτονος, αὐτά τε περίχρυσα καὶ περιάργυρα, ψευδῆ δʼ ἐστὶ, καὶ οὐ δύνανται λαλεῖν.

9And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loves to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods.Καὶ ὥσπερ παρθένῳ φιλοκόσμῳ λαμβάνοντες χρυσίον, κατασκευάζουσι στεφάνους ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν.

10Sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves.Ἔστι δὲ καὶ ὅτε ὑφαιρούμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς ἀπὸ τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν χρυσίον καὶ ἀργύριον εἰς ἑαυτοὺς καταναλοῦσι.

11Yes, 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.Δώσουσι δὲ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν καὶ ταῖς ἐπὶ τοῦ στέγους πόρναις· κοσμοῦσί τε αὐτοὺς, ὡς ἀνθρώπους, τοῖς ἐνδύμασι, θεοὺς ἀργυροῦς, καὶ θεοὺς χρυσοῦς, καὶ ξυλίνους.

12Yet can’t these gods save themselves from rust and moth, though they be covered with purple raiment.Οὗτοι δὲ οὐ διασώζονται ἀπὸ ἰοῦ καὶ βρωμάτων, περιβεβλημένων αὐτῶν ἱματισμὸν πορφυροῦν.

13They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, when there is much upon them.Ἐκμάσσονται τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν διὰ τὸν ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας κονιορτὸν, ὅς ἐστι πλείων ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς.

14And he that can’t put to death one that offends him holds a scepter, as though he were a judge of the country.Καὶ σκῆπτρον ἔχει ὡς ἄνθρωπος κριτὴς χώρας, ὃς τὸν εἰς αὐτὸν ἁμαρτάνοντα οὐκ ἀνελεῖ.

15He has also in his right hand a dagger and an axe: but can’t deliver himself from war and thieves.Ἔχει δὲ ἐγχειρίδιον δεξιᾷ, καὶ πέλεκυν· ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἐκ πολέμον καὶ λῃστῶν οὐκ ἐξελεῖται.

16Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.Ὅθεν γνώριμοί εἰσιν οὐκ ὄντες θεοί· μὴ οὖν φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς.

17For 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.Ὥσπερ γὰρ σκεῦος ἀνθρώπου συντριβὲν ἀχρεῖον γῖνεται, τοιοῦτοι ὑπάρχουσιν οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν, καθιδρυμένων αὐτῶν ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις· οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτῶν πλήρεις εἰσὶ κονιορτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ποδῶν τῶν εἰσπορευομένων.

18And 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.Καὶ ὥσπερ τινὶ ἠδικηκότι βασιλέα, περιπεφραγμέναι εἰσὶν αἱ αὐλαὶ, ὡς ἐπὶ θανάτῳ ἀπηγμένῳ· τοὺς οἴκους αὐτῶν ὀχυροῦσιν οἱ ἱερεῖς θυρώμασί τε καὶ κλείθροις καὶ μοχλοῖς, ὅπως ὑπὸ τῶν λῃστῶν μὴ συληθῶσι.

19They light them candles, yes, more than for themselves, whereof they can’t see one.Λύχνους καίουσι, καὶ πλείους ἢ ἑαυτοῖς, ὧν οὐδένα δύνανται ἰδεῖν.

20They 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.Ἔστι 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·

21Their faces are blacked through the smoke that comes out of the temple.Μεμελανωμένοι τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ καπνοῦ τοῦ ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας.

22Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also.Ἐπὶ τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτῶν ἐφίπτανται νυκτερίδες, χελιδόνες, καὶ τὰ ὄρνεα, ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ οἱ αἴλουροι.

23By this you may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.Ὅθεν γνώσεσθε ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί· μὴ οὖν φοβεῖσθε αὐτά.

24Notwithstanding 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.Τὸ γὰρ χρυσίον ὃ περίκεινται εἰς κάλλος, ἐὰν μή τις ἐκμάξῃ τὸν ἰὸν, οὐ μὴ στίλψωσιν, οὐδὲ γὰρ ὅτε ἐχωνεύοντο, ᾐσθάνοντο.

25The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price.Ἐκ πάσης τιμῆς ἠγορασμένα ἐστὶν, ἐν οἷς οὐκ ἔστι πνεῦμα.

26They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet whereby they declare to men that they be nothing worth.Ἄνευ ποδῶν ἐπʼ ὤμοις φέρονταὶ, ἐνδεικνύμενοι τὴν ἑαυτῶν ἀτιμίαν τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.

27They 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.Αἰσχύνονταί τε καὶ οἱ θεραπεύοντες αὐτὰ, διὰ τὸ, εἴποτε ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν πέσῃ, μὴ διʼ αὐτῶν ἀνίστασθαι, μήτε ἐάν τις αὐτὸ ὀρθὸν στήσῃ, διʼ ἑαυτοῦ κινηθήσεται, μητε ἐὰν κλιθῇ, οὐ μὴ ὀρθωθῇ, ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ νεκροῖς τὰ δῶρα αὐτοῖς παρατίθεται.

28As 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.Τὰς δὲ θυσίας αὐτῶν ἀποδόμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς αὐτῶν καταχρῶνται· ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες ἀπʼ αὐτῶν ταριχεύουσαι, οὐτε πτωχῷ οὔτε ἀδυνάτῳ μὴ μεταδῶσι.

29Menstruous women and women in childbed eat their sacrifices: by these things you may know that they are no gods: fear them not.Τῶν θυσιῶν αὐτῶν ἀποκαθημένη καὶ λεχὼ ἅπτονται· γνόντες οὖν ἀπὸ τούτων ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοὶ, μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς.

30For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.Πόθεν γὰρ κληθείησαν θεοί; ὅτι γυναῖκες παρατιθέασι θεοῖς ἀργυροῖς και χρυσοῖς καὶ ξυλίνοις.

31And the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes torn, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.Καὶ ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις αὐτῶν οἱ ἱερεῖς διφρεύουσιν, ἔχοντες τοὺς χιτῶνας διεῤῥωγότας, καὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς καὶ τοὺς πώγωνας ἐξυρημένους, ὧν αἱ κεφαλαὶ ἀκάλυπτοί εἰσιν.

32They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.Ὠρύονται δὲ βοῶντες ἐναντίον τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν, ὥσπερ τινὲς ἐν περιδείπνῳ νεκροῦ.

33The priests also take off their garments, and clothe their wives and children.Ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱματισμοῦ αὐτῶν ἀφελόμενοι οἱ ἱερεῖς, ἐνδύσουσι τὰς γυναῖκας αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ παιδία.

34Whether 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.Οὔτε ἐὰν κακὸν πάθωσιν ὑπό τινος, οὔτε ἐὰν ἀγαθὸν, δυνήσονται ἀνταποδοῦναι· οὔτε καταστῆσαι βασιλέα δύνανται, οὔτε ἀφελέσθαι.

35In 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.Ὡσαύτως οὔτε πλοῦτον οὔτε χαλκὸν οὐ μὴ δύνωνται διδόναι· ἐάν τις εὐχὴν αὐτοῖς εὐξάμενος μὴ ἀποδῷ, οὐ μὴ ἐπιζητήσωσιν.

36They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.Ἐκ θανάτου ἄνθρωπον οὐ μὴ ῥύσωνται, οὔτε ἥττονα ἀπὸ ἰσχυροῦ μὴ ἐξέλωνται.

37They can’t restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress.Ἄνθρωπον τυφλὸν εἰς ὅρασιν οὐ μὴ περιστήσωσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκῃ ἄνθρωπον ὄντα οὐ μὴ ἐξέλωνται.

38They can show no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.Χήραν οὐ μὴ ἐλεήσωσιν, οὔτε ὀρφανὸν εὖ ποιήσωσι.

39Their 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.Τοῖς ἀπὸ τοῦ ὄρους λίθοις ὡμοιωμὲνοι εἰσὶ τὰ ξύλινα, καὶ τὰ περίχρυσα, καὶ τὰ περιάργυρα, οἱ δὲ θεραπεύοντες αὐτὰ καταισχυνθήσονται.

40How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them?Πῶς οὖν νομιστέον ἢ κλητέον ὑπάρχειν αὐτοὺς θεοὺς, ἔτι δὲ καὶ αὐτῶν τῶν Χαλδαίων ἀτιμαζόντων αὐτά;

41Who 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.Οἳ ὅταν ἴδωσιν ἐνεὸν μὴ δυνάμενον λαλῆσαι, προσενεγκάμενοι τὸν Βῆλον, ἀξιοῦσι φωνῆσαι, ὠς δυνατοῦ ὄντος αὐτοῦ αἰσθὲσθαι.

42Yet they can’t understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge.Καὶ οὐ δύνανται αὐτοὶ νοήσαντες καταλιπεῖν αὐτὰ, αἴσθησιν γὰρ οὐκ ἐχουσιν.

43The 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.Αἱ δὲ γυναῖκες περιθέμεναι σχοινὶα, ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς ἐγκάθηνται, θυμιῶσαι τὰ πίτυρα· ὅτας δέ τις αὐτῶν ἐφελκυσθεῖσα ὑπό τινος τῶν παραπορευομένων κοιμηθῇ, τὴν πλησίον ὀνειδίζει, ὅτι οὐκ ἠξίωται ὥσπερ καὶ αὐτὴ, οὔτε τὸ σχοινίον αὐτῆς διεῤῥάγη.

44Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?Πάντα τὰ γενόμενα ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐστι ψευδῆ· πῶς οὖν νομιστέον ἢ κλητέον ὡς θεοὺς αὐτοὺς ὑπάρχειν;

45They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.Ὑπὸ τεκτόνων καὶ χρυσοχόων κατεσκευασμένα εἰσίν· οὐθὲν ἄλλο μὴ γὲνηται, ἢ ὃ βούλονται οἱ τεχνίται αὐτὰ γενέσθαι.

46And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods?Αὐτοί τε οἱ κατασκευάζοντες αὐτὰ οὐ μὴ γένωνται πολυχρόνιοι· πῶς τε δὴ μέλλει τὰ ὑπʼ αὐτῶν κατασκευασθέντα;

47For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.Κατέλιπον γὰρ ψεύδη καὶ ὄνειδος τοῖς ἐπιγινομένοις.

48For when there comes any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.Ὅταν γὰρ ἐπέλθῃ ἐπʼ αὐτὰ πόλεμος καὶ κακὰ, βουλεύονται πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς οἱ ἱερεῖς, ποῦ συναποκρυβῶσι μετʼ αὐτῶν.

49How then can’t men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?Πῶς οὖν οὐκ ἔστιν αἰσθέσθαι ὅτι οὐκ εἰσί θεοί, οἳ οὔτε σώζουσιν ἑαυτοὺς ἐκ πολέμου, οὔτε ἐκ κακῶν;

50For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:Ὑπάρχοντα γὰρ ξύλινα καὶ περίχρυσα καὶ περιάργυρα, γνωσθήσεται μετὰ ταῦτα ὅτι ἐστὶ ψευδῆ.

51And 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.Τοῖς ἔθνεσι πᾶσι τοῖς τε βασιλεῦσι φανερὸν ἔσται ὃτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοὶ, ἀλλὰ ἔργα χειρῶν ἀνθρώπων, καὶ οὐδὲν Θεοῦ ἔργον ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐστι.

52Who then may not know that they are no gods?Τίνι οὖν γνωστέον ἐστὶν ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί;

53For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain to men.Βασιλὲα γὰρ χώρας οὐ μὴ ἀναστήσωσιν, οὔτε ὑετὸν ἀνθρώποις οὐ μὴ δῶσι.

54Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.Κρίσιν τε οὐ μὴ διακρίνωσιν ἑαυτῶν, οὐδὲ μὴ ῥύσωνται ἀδίκημα, ἀδὺνατοι ὄντες· ὥσπερ γὰρ κορῶναι ἀναμέσον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς.

55Whereupon 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.Καὶ γὰρ ὅταν ἐμπέσῃ εἰς οἰκίαν θεῶν ξυλίνων ἡ περιχρύσων ἢ περιαργύρων πῦρ, οἱ μὲν ἱερεῖν φεύξονται καὶ διασωθήσονται, αὐτοὶ δὲ ὥσπερ δοκοὶ μέσοι κατακαυθήσονται.

56Moreover they can’t withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?Βασιλεῖ δὲ καὶ πολεμίοις οὐ μὴ ἀντιστῶσι· πῶς οὖν ἐκδεκτέον ἢ νομιστέον ὅτι εἰσὶ θεοί;

57Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.Οὔτε ἀπὸ κλεπτῶν, οὔτε ἀπὸ λῃστῶν οὐ μὴ διασωθῶσι θεοὶ ξύλινον, καὶ περιάργυροι, καὶ περίχρυσοι·

58Whose 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.ὧν οἱ ἰσχύοντες περιελοῦνται τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον, καὶ τὸν ἱματισμὸν τὸν περικείμενον αὐτοῖς ἀπελεύσονται ἔχοντες, οὔτε ἑαυτοῖς οὐ μὴ βοηθήσωσιν.

59Therefore 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.Ὥστε κρεῖσσον εἶναι βασιλέα ἐπιδεικνύμενον τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀνδρείαν, ἢ σκεῦος ἐν οἰκίᾳ χρήσιμον ἐφʼ ᾧ κεχρήσεται ὁ κεκτημένος, ἢ οἱ ψευδεῖς θεοί· ἢ καὶ θύρα ἐν οἰκίᾳ διασώζουσα τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ὄντα, ἢ οἱ ψευδεῖς θεοί· καὶ ξύλινος στύλος ἐν βασιλείοις, ἤ οἱ ψευδεῖς θεοί.

60For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.Ἥλιος μὲν γὰρ καὶ σελήνη καὶ ἄστρα ὄντα λαμπρὰ, καὶ ἀποστελλόμενα ἐπὶ χρείας, εὐήκοά εἰσιν.

61In like manner the lightning when it breaks forth is easy to be seen; and after the same manner the wind blows in every country.Ὡσαύτως καὶ ἀστραπὴ ὅταν ἐπιφανῇ, εὔοπτός ἐστι· τὸ δʼ αὐτὸ καὶ πνεῦμα ἐν πάσῃ χώρᾳ πνεῖ.

62And when God commands the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.Καὶ νεφέλαις ὅταν ἐπιταγῆ ὑπὸ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπιπορεύεσθαι ἐπιπορεύεσθαι ἐφʼ ὅλην τὴν οἰκουμένην, συντελοῦσι τὸ ταχθέν.

63And 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.Τό, τε πῦρ ἐξαποσταλὲν ἄνωθεν ἐξαναλῶσαι ὄρη καὶ δρυμοὺς, ποιεῖ τὸ συνταχθὲν· ταῦτα δὲ οὔτε ταῖς εἰδέαις οὔτε ταῖς δυνάμεσιν αὐτῶν ἀφωμοιωμένα ἐστίν.

64Therefore 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.Ὅθεν οὔτε νομιστέον οὔτε κλητέον ὑπάρχειν αὐτοὺς θεοὺς, οὐ δυνατῶν ὄντων αὐτῶν οὔτε κλητέον κρίναι, οὔτε εὖ ποιῆσαι ἀνθρώποις.

65Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not,Γνόντες οὖν ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί, μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς·

66For they can neither curse nor bless kings:Οὔτε γὰρ βασιλεῦσιν οὐ μὴ καταράσωνται, οὔτε μὴ εὐλογήσωσι.

67Neither can they show signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.Σημεῖά τε ἐν ἔθνεσιν ἐν οὐρανῷ οὐ μὴ δείξωσιν, οὐδὲ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος λάμψουσιν, οὔτε φωτιοῦσιν ὡς ἡ σελήνη.

68The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves.Τὰ θηρία αὐτῶν ἐστι κρείττω, ἃ δύνανται ἐκφυγόντα εἰς σκέπην ἑαυτὰ ὠφελῆσαι.

69It is then by no means manifest to us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.Κατʼ οὐδένα οὖν τρόπον ἡμῖν ἑστι φανερὸν ὅτι εἰσὶ θεοί· διὸ μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς.

70For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keeps nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold.Ὥσοερ γὰρ ἐν σικυηράτῳ προβασκάνιον οὐδὲν φυλάσσον, οὕτως οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν εἰσι ξύλινοι καὶ περίχρυσον καὶ περιάργυροι.

71And 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.τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον καὶ τῇ. ἐν κήπῳ ῥάμνῳ, ἐφʼ ἧς πᾶν ὄρνεον ἐπικάθηται, ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ νεκρῷ ἐῤῥιμμένῳ ἐν σκότει ἀφωμοίωνται οἱ θεοὶ αὐτῶν ξύλινοι καὶ περίχρυσοι καὶ περιάργυροι.

72And 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.Ἀπό τε τῆς πορφύρας καὶ τῆς μαρμάρου τῆς ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς σηπομένης γνωσθήσονται ὅτι οὐκ εἰσὶ θεοί· αὐτά τε ἐξ ὑστέρου βρωθήσονται, καὶ ἔσται ὄνειδος ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ.

73Better therefore is the just man that has none idols: for he shall be far from reproach.Κρεῖσσον οὖ ἄνθρωπος δίκαιος οὐκ ἔχων εἴδωλα, ἔσται γὰρ μακρὰν ἀπὸ ὀνειδισμοῦ.