¹Propter peccata quæ peccastis ante Deum, abducemini in Babyloniam captivi a Nabuchodonosor rege Babylonis.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.

¹Propter peccata quæ peccastis ante Deum, abducemini in Babyloniam captivi a Nabuchodonosor rege Babylonis.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.

²Ingressi itaque in Babylonem,And so, having been taken into Babylon,eritis ibi annis plurimis, et temporibus longis,you will be there many years and for a long time,usque ad generationes septem:even to seven generations, yet after this,post hoc autem educam vos inde cum pace.I will lead you away from there with peace.

²Ingressi itaque in Babylonem,And so, having been taken into Babylon,eritis ibi annis plurimis, et temporibus longis,you will be there many years and for a long time,usque ad generationes septem:even to seven generations, yet after this,post hoc autem educam vos inde cum pace.I will lead you away from there with peace.

³Nunc autem videbitis in Babylonia deos aureos et argenteos,But now, you will see in Babylon gods of gold and of silver,et lapideos et ligneos,and of stone and of wood,in humeris portari,carried upon shoulders,ostentantes metum gentibus.an awful display for the peoples.

³Nunc autem videbitis in Babylonia deos aureos et argenteos,But now, you will see in Babylon gods of gold and of silver,et lapideos et ligneos,and of stone and of wood,in humeris portari,carried upon shoulders,ostentantes metum gentibus.an awful display for the peoples.

⁴Videte ergo neSee to it,et vos similes efficiamini factis alienis,then,et metuatis,that you do not in effect become like these strangers and become afraid,et metus vos capiat in ipsis.so that in awe you would be carried away into their midst.

⁴Videte ergo neSee to it,et vos similes efficiamini factis alienis,then,et metuatis,that you do not in effect become like these strangers and become afraid,et metus vos capiat in ipsis.so that in awe you would be carried away into their midst.

⁵Visa itaque turba de retro et ab ante,And so, seeing the turmoil, behind you and in front of you,adorantes dicite in cordibus vestris:as they are worshiping, say in your hearts,Te oportet adorari,‘You ought to be adored,Domine.O Lord.’

⁵Visa itaque turba de retro et ab ante,And so, seeing the turmoil, behind you and in front of you,adorantes dicite in cordibus vestris:as they are worshiping, say in your hearts,Te oportet adorari,‘You ought to be adored,Domine.O Lord.’

⁶Angelus enim meus vobiscum est:For my angel is with you.ipse autem exquiram animas vestras.And I myself will examine your souls.

⁶Angelus enim meus vobiscum est:For my angel is with you.ipse autem exquiram animas vestras.And I myself will examine your souls.

⁷Nam lingua ipsorum polita a fabro;For their tongue is polished by the craftsman,ipsa etiam inaurata et inargentata:and they themselves are even inlaid with gold and silver,falsa sunt, et non possunt loqui.yet they are false and unable to speak.

⁷Nam lingua ipsorum polita a fabro;For their tongue is polished by the craftsman,ipsa etiam inaurata et inargentata:and they themselves are even inlaid with gold and silver,falsa sunt, et non possunt loqui.yet they are false and unable to speak.

⁸Et sicut virgini amanti ornamenta,And, just like a virgin who loves to decorate herself,ita accepto auro fabricati sunt.so do they take up gold and make designs with it.

⁸Et sicut virgini amanti ornamenta,And, just like a virgin who loves to decorate herself,ita accepto auro fabricati sunt.so do they take up gold and make designs with it.

⁹Coronas certe aureas habent super capita sua dii illorum:Their gods have crowns of certified gold upon their heads,unde subtrahunt sacerdotes ab eis aurum et argentum,from which the priests subtract gold and silver,et erogant illud in semetipsos.and spend it on themselves.

⁹Coronas certe aureas habent super capita sua dii illorum:Their gods have crowns of certified gold upon their heads,unde subtrahunt sacerdotes ab eis aurum et argentum,from which the priests subtract gold and silver,et erogant illud in semetipsos.and spend it on themselves.

¹⁰Dant autemMoreover,et ex ipso prostitutis,they even give from it to prostitutes,et meretrices ornant:and use it to adorn kept women,et iterum cum receperint illud a meretricibus,and when they receive it back from the kept women,ornant deos suos.they use it to adorn their gods.

¹⁰Dant autemMoreover,et ex ipso prostitutis,they even give from it to prostitutes,et meretrices ornant:and use it to adorn kept women,et iterum cum receperint illud a meretricibus,and when they receive it back from the kept women,ornant deos suos.they use it to adorn their gods.

¹¹Hi autem non liberantur ab ærugine et tinea.But these cannot be freed from rust and moths.

¹¹Hi autem non liberantur ab ærugine et tinea.But these cannot be freed from rust and moths.

¹²Opertis autem illis veste purpurea,Although they are covered with a purple garment,extergunt faciem ipsorum propter pulverem domus qui est plurimus inter eos.they must wipe off their face, because of the dust of the house, which is very great around them.

¹²Opertis autem illis veste purpurea,Although they are covered with a purple garment,extergunt faciem ipsorum propter pulverem domus qui est plurimus inter eos.they must wipe off their face, because of the dust of the house, which is very great around them.

¹³Sceptrum autem habet ut homo,Yet he who holds a scepter like a man,sicut judex regionis,like the judge of the region,qui in se peccantem non interficit.cannot put to death one who sins against him.

¹³Sceptrum autem habet ut homo,Yet he who holds a scepter like a man,sicut judex regionis,like the judge of the region,qui in se peccantem non interficit.cannot put to death one who sins against him.

¹⁴Habet etiam in manu gladium et securim,And though he holds in his hand a sword and an axe,se autem de bello et a latronibus non liberat.yet he cannot free himself from war and robbers.Unde vobis notum sit quia non sunt dii:From this let it be known to you that they are not gods.

¹⁴Habet etiam in manu gladium et securim,And though he holds in his hand a sword and an axe,se autem de bello et a latronibus non liberat.yet he cannot free himself from war and robbers.Unde vobis notum sit quia non sunt dii:From this let it be known to you that they are not gods.

¹⁵non ergo timueritis eos.Therefore,Sicut enim vas hominis confractum inutile efficitur,do not fear them.tales suntFor just as the vessel a man uses becomes useless when broken,et dii illorum.so also are their gods.

¹⁵non ergo timueritis eos.Therefore,Sicut enim vas hominis confractum inutile efficitur,do not fear them.tales suntFor just as the vessel a man uses becomes useless when broken,et dii illorum.so also are their gods.

¹⁶Constitutis illis in domo,When they are set up in a house,oculi eorum pleni sunt pulvere a pedibus introëuntium.their eyes are full of dust from the feet of those who enter.

¹⁶Constitutis illis in domo,When they are set up in a house,oculi eorum pleni sunt pulvere a pedibus introëuntium.their eyes are full of dust from the feet of those who enter.

¹⁷Et sicut alicui qui regem offendit circumseptæ sunt januæ,And like one who has offended the king and is surrounded at every door,aut sicut ad sepulchrum adductum mortuum:or like a corpse about to be carried to the grave,ita tutantur sacerdotes ostia clausuris et seris,so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks,ne a latronibus expolientur.lest they be plundered by robbers.

¹⁷Et sicut alicui qui regem offendit circumseptæ sunt januæ,And like one who has offended the king and is surrounded at every door,aut sicut ad sepulchrum adductum mortuum:or like a corpse about to be carried to the grave,ita tutantur sacerdotes ostia clausuris et seris,so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks,ne a latronibus expolientur.lest they be plundered by robbers.

¹⁸Lucernas accendunt illis,They light candles to them,et quidem multas,and in great number,ex quibus nullam videre possunt:and still they are unable to see,sunt autem sicut trabes in domo.for they are like logs in the house.

¹⁸Lucernas accendunt illis,They light candles to them,et quidem multas,and in great number,ex quibus nullam videre possunt:and still they are unable to see,sunt autem sicut trabes in domo.for they are like logs in the house.

¹⁹Corda vero eorum dicunt elingere serpentes qui de terra sunt,It is truly said that the creeping things, which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts,dum comedunt eos, et vestimentum ipsorum,and yet when these devour them and their garments,et non sentiunt.they do not feel it.

¹⁹Corda vero eorum dicunt elingere serpentes qui de terra sunt,It is truly said that the creeping things, which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts,dum comedunt eos, et vestimentum ipsorum,and yet when these devour them and their garments,et non sentiunt.they do not feel it.

²⁰Nigræ fiunt facies eorum a fumo qui in domo fit.Their faces are made black by the smoke that is made in the house.

²⁰Nigræ fiunt facies eorum a fumo qui in domo fit.Their faces are made black by the smoke that is made in the house.

²¹Supra corpus eorum et supra caput eorum volant noctuæ, et hirundines,Over their bodies and over their heads fly owls and swallows and birds,et aves etiam, similiter et cattæ.and similarly, even cats.

²¹Supra corpus eorum et supra caput eorum volant noctuæ, et hirundines,Over their bodies and over their heads fly owls and swallows and birds,et aves etiam, similiter et cattæ.and similarly, even cats.

²²Unde sciatis quia non sunt dii:From this you should understand that they are not gods.ne ergo timueritis eos.Therefore, neither should you fear them.

²²Unde sciatis quia non sunt dii:From this you should understand that they are not gods.ne ergo timueritis eos.Therefore, neither should you fear them.

²³Aurum etiam quod habent ad speciem est:Furthermore, the gold which they have is shiny,nisi aliquis exterserit æruginem,but unless someone wipes off the rust,non fulgebunt:they will not shine.neque enim dum conflarentur, sentiebant.And even when they were molten, they did not feel it.

²³Aurum etiam quod habent ad speciem est:Furthermore, the gold which they have is shiny,nisi aliquis exterserit æruginem,but unless someone wipes off the rust,non fulgebunt:they will not shine.neque enim dum conflarentur, sentiebant.And even when they were molten, they did not feel it.

²⁴Ex omni pretio empta sunt,They acquire all kinds of costly things,in quibus spiritus non inest ipsis.yet there is no breath in them.

²⁴Ex omni pretio empta sunt,They acquire all kinds of costly things,in quibus spiritus non inest ipsis.yet there is no breath in them.

²⁵Sine pedibus,Without feet,in humeris portantur,they are carried upon shoulders,ostentantes ignobilitatem suam hominibus:showing their unworthiness to all men. And so,confundantur etiam qui colunt ea.may those who worship them be confounded.

²⁵Sine pedibus,Without feet,in humeris portantur,they are carried upon shoulders,ostentantes ignobilitatem suam hominibus:showing their unworthiness to all men. And so,confundantur etiam qui colunt ea.may those who worship them be confounded.

²⁶Propterea si ceciderint in terram,Because of this, if they fall to the ground,a semetipsis non consurgunt:they do not get up by themselves;neque si quis eum statuerit rectum, per semetipsum stabit:and if someone sets it upright, they will not stand firm on their own;sed sicut mortuis munera eorum illis apponentur.yet, just like the dead, offerings are placed next to them.

²⁶Propterea si ceciderint in terram,Because of this, if they fall to the ground,a semetipsis non consurgunt:they do not get up by themselves;neque si quis eum statuerit rectum, per semetipsum stabit:and if someone sets it upright, they will not stand firm on their own;sed sicut mortuis munera eorum illis apponentur.yet, just like the dead, offerings are placed next to them.

²⁷Hostias illorum vendunt sacerdotes ipsorum,The priests themselves sell their sacrifices,et abutuntur:and they spend it wastefully;similiter et mulieres eorum decerpentes,and,neque infirmo,in like manner,neque mendicanti,their wives take part of it,aliquid impertiunt.never sharing anything with the sick or the beggars.

²⁷Hostias illorum vendunt sacerdotes ipsorum,The priests themselves sell their sacrifices,et abutuntur:and they spend it wastefully;similiter et mulieres eorum decerpentes,and,neque infirmo,in like manner,neque mendicanti,their wives take part of it,aliquid impertiunt.never sharing anything with the sick or the beggars.

²⁸De sacrificiis eorum fœtæFertile and menstruous women contaminate their sacrifices.et menstruatæ contingunt.And so,Sciens itaque ex his quia non sunt dii,knowing from this that they are not gods,ne timeatis eos.you should not fear them.

²⁸De sacrificiis eorum fœtæFertile and menstruous women contaminate their sacrifices.et menstruatæ contingunt.And so,Sciens itaque ex his quia non sunt dii,knowing from this that they are not gods,ne timeatis eos.you should not fear them.

²⁹Unde enim vocantur dii?For what reason are they called gods?quia mulieres apponunt diis argenteis,It is because the women serve before the gods of silveret aureis,and goldet ligneis:and wood,

²⁹Unde enim vocantur dii?For what reason are they called gods?quia mulieres apponunt diis argenteis,It is because the women serve before the gods of silveret aureis,and goldet ligneis:and wood,

³⁰et in domibus eorum sacerdotes sedent habentes tunicas scissas,and the priests sit in their houses,et capitawith torn garments,et barbam rasam,and their heads and beards shaven,quorum capita nuda sunt.and nothing on their heads.

³⁰et in domibus eorum sacerdotes sedent habentes tunicas scissas,and the priests sit in their houses,et capitawith torn garments,et barbam rasam,and their heads and beards shaven,quorum capita nuda sunt.and nothing on their heads.

³¹Rugiunt autem clamantes contra deos suos sicut in cœna mortui.But they roar, shouting out to their gods, just as at a feast for the dead.

³¹Rugiunt autem clamantes contra deos suos sicut in cœna mortui.But they roar, shouting out to their gods, just as at a feast for the dead.

³²Vestimenta eorum auferunt sacerdotes,The priests take away the garments of their gods,et vestiunt uxores suas et filios suos.and clothe their wives and their sons.

³²Vestimenta eorum auferunt sacerdotes,The priests take away the garments of their gods,et vestiunt uxores suas et filios suos.and clothe their wives and their sons.

³³Neque si quid mali patiuntur ab aliquo,And whether they endure evil from someone,neque si quid boni,or good,poterunt retribuere:they are not able to repay it.neque regem constituere possunt,They can neither establish a king,neque auferre.nor remove him.

³³Neque si quid mali patiuntur ab aliquo,And whether they endure evil from someone,neque si quid boni,or good,poterunt retribuere:they are not able to repay it.neque regem constituere possunt,They can neither establish a king,neque auferre.nor remove him.

³⁴SimiliterSimilarly,neque dare divitias possunt,they can neither give riches,neque malum retribuere.nor avenge evil.Si quis illis votum voveritIf anyone makes a vow to them,et non reddiderit,and does not keep it,neque hoc requirunt.they cannot require it.

³⁴SimiliterSimilarly,neque dare divitias possunt,they can neither give riches,neque malum retribuere.nor avenge evil.Si quis illis votum voveritIf anyone makes a vow to them,et non reddiderit,and does not keep it,neque hoc requirunt.they cannot require it.

³⁵Hominem a morte non liberant,They cannot free a man from death,neque infirmum a potentiori eripiunt.nor rescue the weak from the strong.

³⁵Hominem a morte non liberant,They cannot free a man from death,neque infirmum a potentiori eripiunt.nor rescue the weak from the strong.

³⁶Hominem cæcum ad visum non restituunt;They cannot restore sight to the blind,de necessitate hominem non liberabunt.nor free a man from need.

³⁶Hominem cæcum ad visum non restituunt;They cannot restore sight to the blind,de necessitate hominem non liberabunt.nor free a man from need.

³⁷Viduæ non miserebuntur,They will not have mercy on the widow,neque orphanis benefacient.nor do good to orphans.

³⁷Viduæ non miserebuntur,They will not have mercy on the widow,neque orphanis benefacient.nor do good to orphans.

³⁸Lapidibus de monte similes sunt dii illorum,Their gods of wood, and of stone,lignei,and of gold,et lapidei,and of silver,et aurei, et argentei:are like stones from the mountain;qui autem colunt ea, confundentur.and those who worship them will be confounded.

³⁸Lapidibus de monte similes sunt dii illorum,Their gods of wood, and of stone,lignei,and of gold,et lapidei,and of silver,et aurei, et argentei:are like stones from the mountain;qui autem colunt ea, confundentur.and those who worship them will be confounded.

³⁹Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut dicendum illos esse deos?In what way, then, is it to be supposed or said that they are gods?

³⁹Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut dicendum illos esse deos?In what way, then, is it to be supposed or said that they are gods?

⁴⁰Adhuc enim ipsis Chaldæis non honorantibus ea:For even the Chaldeans themselves do not honor these,qui cum audierint mutum non posse loqui,who, when they hear about a mute, unable to speak,offerunt illud ad Bel,they offer him to Bel,postulantes ab eo loqui:asking from him that he may speak,

⁴⁰Adhuc enim ipsis Chaldæis non honorantibus ea:For even the Chaldeans themselves do not honor these,qui cum audierint mutum non posse loqui,who, when they hear about a mute, unable to speak,offerunt illud ad Bel,they offer him to Bel,postulantes ab eo loqui:asking from him that he may speak,

⁴¹quasi possint sentire qui non habent motum!as if these, who are unable to move, would be able to perceive.Et ipsi, cum intellexerint,And even they themselves, when they shall understand this,relinquent ea:will abandon them, for,sensum enim non habent ipsi dii illorum.having come to their senses, they do not consider them to be gods.

⁴¹quasi possint sentire qui non habent motum!as if these, who are unable to move, would be able to perceive.Et ipsi, cum intellexerint,And even they themselves, when they shall understand this,relinquent ea:will abandon them, for,sensum enim non habent ipsi dii illorum.having come to their senses, they do not consider them to be gods.

⁴²Mulieres autem circumdatæ funibus in viis sedent,Yet the women, wrapped in cords, sit by the roads,succendentes ossa olivarum:burning olive-stones.

⁴²Mulieres autem circumdatæ funibus in viis sedent,Yet the women, wrapped in cords, sit by the roads,succendentes ossa olivarum:burning olive-stones.

⁴³cum autem aliqua ex ipsis,And when any one of them,attracta ab aliquo transeunte,having been attracted by someone passing by,dormierit cum eo,would sleep with him,proximæ suæ exprobrat quod ea non sit digna habita,she reproaches her neighbor because she was not found worthy,sicut ipsa,as she was,neque funis ejus diruptus sit.nor was her cord broken.

⁴³cum autem aliqua ex ipsis,And when any one of them,attracta ab aliquo transeunte,having been attracted by someone passing by,dormierit cum eo,would sleep with him,proximæ suæ exprobrat quod ea non sit digna habita,she reproaches her neighbor because she was not found worthy,sicut ipsa,as she was,neque funis ejus diruptus sit.nor was her cord broken.

⁴⁴Omnia autem quæ illi fiunt,But all things that occur with them are false;falsa sunt:in what way,quomodo æstimandumthen,aut dicendum est illos esse deos?is it to be considered or said that they are gods?

⁴⁴Omnia autem quæ illi fiunt,But all things that occur with them are false;falsa sunt:in what way,quomodo æstimandumthen,aut dicendum est illos esse deos?is it to be considered or said that they are gods?

⁴⁵A fabris autem et ab aurificibus facta sunt:Yet they have been made by the workmen and the goldsmiths.nihil aliud erunt, nisi id quod volunt esse sacerdotes.They will be nothing else but what the priests want them to be.

⁴⁵A fabris autem et ab aurificibus facta sunt:Yet they have been made by the workmen and the goldsmiths.nihil aliud erunt, nisi id quod volunt esse sacerdotes.They will be nothing else but what the priests want them to be.

⁴⁶Artifices etiam ipsi,For the artisans themselves,qui ea faciunt,who make them,non sunt multi temporis:do not exist for a long time.numquid ergo possunt ea,So then, can these things,quæ fabricata sunt ab ipsis,which have been made by them,esse dii?be gods?

⁴⁶Artifices etiam ipsi,For the artisans themselves,qui ea faciunt,who make them,non sunt multi temporis:do not exist for a long time.numquid ergo possunt ea,So then, can these things,quæ fabricata sunt ab ipsis,which have been made by them,esse dii?be gods?

⁴⁷Reliquerunt autem falsa et opprobrium postea futuris.Yet they have bequeathed falsehoods and disgrace after this to the future.

⁴⁷Reliquerunt autem falsa et opprobrium postea futuris.Yet they have bequeathed falsehoods and disgrace after this to the future.

⁴⁸Nam cum supervenerit illis prælium et mala,For when they are overcome by battle or evil,cogitant sacerdotes apud se ubi se abscondant cum illis.the priests consider among themselves where they may hide themselves with them.

⁴⁸Nam cum supervenerit illis prælium et mala,For when they are overcome by battle or evil,cogitant sacerdotes apud se ubi se abscondant cum illis.the priests consider among themselves where they may hide themselves with them.

⁴⁹Quomodo ergo sentiri debeant quoniam dii sunt,Therefore, why would they be perceived to be gods,qui nec de bello se liberant,who can neither free themselves from war,neque de malis se eripiunt?nor rescue themselves from evils?

⁴⁹Quomodo ergo sentiri debeant quoniam dii sunt,Therefore, why would they be perceived to be gods,qui nec de bello se liberant,who can neither free themselves from war,neque de malis se eripiunt?nor rescue themselves from evils?

⁵⁰Nam cum sint lignea,For, in as much as they are only wood,inaurata et inargentata,inlaid with gold and silver,scietur postea quia falsa sunt ab universis gentibus et regibus:so let it be known henceforth, by all nations and kings, that they are false;quæ manifesta sunt quia non sunt dii,because it has been revealed that they are not gods,sed opera manuum hominum,but the work of men’s hands,et nullum Dei opus cum illis.and there is no work of God in them.

⁵⁰Nam cum sint lignea,For, in as much as they are only wood,inaurata et inargentata,inlaid with gold and silver,scietur postea quia falsa sunt ab universis gentibus et regibus:so let it be known henceforth, by all nations and kings, that they are false;quæ manifesta sunt quia non sunt dii,because it has been revealed that they are not gods,sed opera manuum hominum,but the work of men’s hands,et nullum Dei opus cum illis.and there is no work of God in them.

⁵¹Unde ergo notum est quia non sunt dii,For this reason, then, it has been accepted that they are not gods,sed opera manuum hominum,but are works of the hands of men,et nullum Dei opus in ipsis est.and no work of God is in them.

⁵¹Unde ergo notum est quia non sunt dii,For this reason, then, it has been accepted that they are not gods,sed opera manuum hominum,but are works of the hands of men,et nullum Dei opus in ipsis est.and no work of God is in them.

⁵²Regem regioni non suscitant,They have not raised up a king in the region,neque pluviam hominibus dabunt.nor will they give rain to men.

⁵²Regem regioni non suscitant,They have not raised up a king in the region,neque pluviam hominibus dabunt.nor will they give rain to men.

⁵³Judicium quoque non discernent,They will not discern a judgment for anyone,neque regiones liberabunt ab injuria,nor will they free a region from injury,quia nihil possunt,because they can do nothing,sicut corniculæ inter medium cæli et terræ.like crows in the middle of heaven and earth.

⁵³Judicium quoque non discernent,They will not discern a judgment for anyone,neque regiones liberabunt ab injuria,nor will they free a region from injury,quia nihil possunt,because they can do nothing,sicut corniculæ inter medium cæli et terræ.like crows in the middle of heaven and earth.

⁵⁴Etenim cum inciderit ignis in domum deorum ligneorum,And, indeed, when there happens to be a fire in the house of these gods of wood,argenteorum et aureorum,silver, and gold,sacerdotes quidem ipsorum fugient, et liberabuntur:the priests will certainly run away and save themselves,ipsi vero sicut trabes in medio comburentur.but these will truly be burned up like logs in the midst of it.

⁵⁴Etenim cum inciderit ignis in domum deorum ligneorum,And, indeed, when there happens to be a fire in the house of these gods of wood,argenteorum et aureorum,silver, and gold,sacerdotes quidem ipsorum fugient, et liberabuntur:the priests will certainly run away and save themselves,ipsi vero sicut trabes in medio comburentur.but these will truly be burned up like logs in the midst of it.

⁵⁵Regi autemYet they cannot withstand a king and war.et bello non resistent.In what way,Quomodo ergo æstimandum estthen,aut recipiendum quia dii sunt?is it to be considered or accepted that they are gods?

⁵⁵Regi autemYet they cannot withstand a king and war.et bello non resistent.In what way,Quomodo ergo æstimandum estthen,aut recipiendum quia dii sunt?is it to be considered or accepted that they are gods?

⁵⁶Non a furibus, neque a latronibus se liberabunt dii lignei,These gods of wood and stone, inlaid with gold and silver,et lapidei, et inaurati, et inargentati:can free themselves neither from thieves nor from robbers;quibus hi qui fortiores sunt,whoever is stronger than they are,

⁵⁶Non a furibus, neque a latronibus se liberabunt dii lignei,These gods of wood and stone, inlaid with gold and silver,et lapidei, et inaurati, et inargentati:can free themselves neither from thieves nor from robbers;quibus hi qui fortiores sunt,whoever is stronger than they are,

⁵⁷aurum et argentum,will take up these things,et vestimentum quo operti sunt,the gold and the silver,auferent illis,and the garments which cover them,et abibunt,and will get away;nec sibi auxilium ferent.neither will they be able to help themselves.

⁵⁷aurum et argentum,will take up these things,et vestimentum quo operti sunt,the gold and the silver,auferent illis,and the garments which cover them,et abibunt,and will get away;nec sibi auxilium ferent.neither will they be able to help themselves.

⁵⁸Itaque melius est esse regem ostentantem virtutem suam,Therefore, it is better to be a king displaying his power,aut vas in domo utile,or a useful vessel in a house,in quo gloriabitur qui possidet illud,about which he who owns it will boast,vel ostium in domo,or a door in the house,quod custodit quæ in ipsa sunt, quam falsi dii.which keeps safe what is inside, than to be these gods of falsehood.

⁵⁸Itaque melius est esse regem ostentantem virtutem suam,Therefore, it is better to be a king displaying his power,aut vas in domo utile,or a useful vessel in a house,in quo gloriabitur qui possidet illud,about which he who owns it will boast,vel ostium in domo,or a door in the house,quod custodit quæ in ipsa sunt, quam falsi dii.which keeps safe what is inside, than to be these gods of falsehood.

⁵⁹Sol quidem et luna ac sidera,For the sun, and the moon, and the constellations,cum sint splendida et emissa ad utilitates,though they are brilliant and have been sent forth to be useful,obaudiunt:are obedient.

⁵⁹Sol quidem et luna ac sidera,For the sun, and the moon, and the constellations,cum sint splendida et emissa ad utilitates,though they are brilliant and have been sent forth to be useful,obaudiunt:are obedient.

⁶⁰similiter et fulgur cum apparuerit,Similarly, the lightning, when it appears and is evident,perspicuum est:and, in like manner,idipsum autem et spiritus in omni regione spirat:the wind blowing in every region,

⁶⁰similiter et fulgur cum apparuerit,Similarly, the lightning, when it appears and is evident,perspicuum est:and, in like manner,idipsum autem et spiritus in omni regione spirat:the wind blowing in every region,

⁶¹et nubes,and the clouds,quibus cum imperatum fuerit a Deo perambulare universum orbem,when God orders them to make their rounds over the whole world,perficiunt quod imperatum est eis:each carries out what was commanded.

⁶¹et nubes,and the clouds,quibus cum imperatum fuerit a Deo perambulare universum orbem,when God orders them to make their rounds over the whole world,perficiunt quod imperatum est eis:each carries out what was commanded.

⁶²ignis etiam missus desuper,Furthermore,ut consumat montesthe fire,et silvas,having been sent from above so that it may consume mountains and woods,facit quod præceptum est ei:does what it has been instructed to do.hæc autemYet these are not similar,neque speciebus,neither in splendor,neque virtutibus,nor in power,uni eorum similia sunt.to any one of them.

⁶²ignis etiam missus desuper,Furthermore,ut consumat montesthe fire,et silvas,having been sent from above so that it may consume mountains and woods,facit quod præceptum est ei:does what it has been instructed to do.hæc autemYet these are not similar,neque speciebus,neither in splendor,neque virtutibus,nor in power,uni eorum similia sunt.to any one of them.

⁶³UndeFrom this,neque existimandum est,it should neither be supposed,neque dicendum illos esse deos,nor said,quando non possuntthat they are gods;neque judicium judicare,since they are neither able to give judgment,neque quidquam facere hominibus.nor to accomplish anything for men.

⁶³UndeFrom this,neque existimandum est,it should neither be supposed,neque dicendum illos esse deos,nor said,quando non possuntthat they are gods;neque judicium judicare,since they are neither able to give judgment,neque quidquam facere hominibus.nor to accomplish anything for men.

⁶⁴Scientes itaque quia non sunt dii,And so, knowing that they are not gods,ne ergo timueritis eos.therefore, have no fear of them.

⁶⁴Scientes itaque quia non sunt dii,And so, knowing that they are not gods,ne ergo timueritis eos.therefore, have no fear of them.

⁶⁵Neque enim regibus maledicent,For they can neither curse kings,neque benedicent.nor bless them.

⁶⁵Neque enim regibus maledicent,For they can neither curse kings,neque benedicent.nor bless them.

⁶⁶Signa etiam in cælo gentibus non ostendunt:Besides, they show no signs in heaven to the nations;neque ut sol lucebunt,they neither shine like the sun,neque illuminabunt ut luna.nor give light like the moon.

⁶⁶Signa etiam in cælo gentibus non ostendunt:Besides, they show no signs in heaven to the nations;neque ut sol lucebunt,they neither shine like the sun,neque illuminabunt ut luna.nor give light like the moon.

⁶⁷Bestiæ meliores sunt illis,Beasts are better than they are,quæ possunt fugere sub tectumfor they can flee under a covering,ac prodesse sibi.and so protect themselves.

⁶⁷Bestiæ meliores sunt illis,Beasts are better than they are,quæ possunt fugere sub tectumfor they can flee under a covering,ac prodesse sibi.and so protect themselves.

⁶⁸Nullo itaque modo nobis est manifestum quia sunt dii:Therefore, in no way is it clear to us that they are gods;propter quod ne timeatis eos.because of this, you should not fear them.

⁶⁸Nullo itaque modo nobis est manifestum quia sunt dii:Therefore, in no way is it clear to us that they are gods;propter quod ne timeatis eos.because of this, you should not fear them.

⁶⁹Nam sicut in cucumerario formido nihil custodit,For just as a scarecrow in a cucumber field protects nothing,ita sunt dii illorum lignei,so are their gods of wood,et argentei,and silver,et inaurati.and inlaid gold.

⁶⁹Nam sicut in cucumerario formido nihil custodit,For just as a scarecrow in a cucumber field protects nothing,ita sunt dii illorum lignei,so are their gods of wood,et argentei,and silver,et inaurati.and inlaid gold.

⁷⁰Eodem modo et in horto spina alba,They are just the same as a white thorn in a garden,supra quam omnis avis sedet,on which all the birds sit;similiter et mortuo projecto in tenebris,they are even like a corpse thrown out into the darkness,similes sunt dii illorum lignei,just so are these gods of wood,et inaurati,and inlaid gold,et inargentati.and inlaid silver.

⁷⁰Eodem modo et in horto spina alba,They are just the same as a white thorn in a garden,supra quam omnis avis sedet,on which all the birds sit;similiter et mortuo projecto in tenebris,they are even like a corpse thrown out into the darkness,similes sunt dii illorum lignei,just so are these gods of wood,et inaurati,and inlaid gold,et inargentati.and inlaid silver.

⁷¹A purpura quoqueBy the purple,et murice,and likewise the Royal purple,quæ supra illos tineant,moth-eaten garments upon them,scietis itaque quia non sunt dii:you will then know that they are not gods.ipsi etiam postremo comeduntur,And finally,et erunt opprobrium in regione.they themselves are consumed and will be a disgrace in the region.

⁷¹A purpura quoqueBy the purple,et murice,and likewise the Royal purple,quæ supra illos tineant,moth-eaten garments upon them,scietis itaque quia non sunt dii:you will then know that they are not gods.ipsi etiam postremo comeduntur,And finally,et erunt opprobrium in regione.they themselves are consumed and will be a disgrace in the region.

⁷²Melior est homo justus qui non habet simulacra,Better is the just man who has no such images,nam erit longe ab opprobriis.for he will be far from disgrace.”

⁷²Melior est homo justus qui non habet simulacra,Better is the just man who has no such images,nam erit longe ab opprobriis.for he will be far from disgrace.”