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give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children:
Greek · Septuagintδός μοι τὴν τῶν σῶν θρόνων πάρεδρον σοφίαν, καὶ μή με ἀποδοκιμάσῃς ἐκ παίδων σου.
Hebrew / Jewish
Septuagint (Greek Old Testament)
Wisdom
for I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws.
Greek · SeptuagintὍτι ἐγὼ δοῦλος σὸς καὶ υἱὸς τῆς παιδίσκης σου, ἄνθρωπος ἀσθενὴς καὶ ὀλιγοχρόνιος καὶ ἐλάσσων ἐν συνέσει κρίσεως καὶ νόμων.
For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.
Greek · SeptuagintΚᾂν γάρ τις ᾖ τέλειος ἐν υἱοῖς ἀνθρώπων, τῆς ἀπὸ σοῦ σοφίας ἀπούσης, εἰς οὐδὲν λογισθήσεται.
Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters:
Greek · SeptuagintΣύ με προείλω βασιλέα λαοῦ σου, καὶ δικαστὴν υἱῶν σου καὶ θυγατέρων.
thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning.
Greek · SeptuagintΕἶπας οἰκοδομῆσαι ναὸν ἐν ὄρει ἁγίῳ σου, καὶ ἐν πόλει κατασκηνώσεώς σου θυσιαστήριον, μίμημα σκηνῆς ἁγίας ἣν προητοίμασας ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς.
And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ μετὰ σοῦ ἡ σοφία ἡ εἰδυῖα τὰ ἔργα σου, καὶ παροῦσα ὅτε ἐποίεις τὸν κόσμον, καὶ ἐπισταμένη τί ἀρεστὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου, καὶ τί εὐθὲς ἐν ἐντολαῖς σου.
O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto thee.
Greek · SeptuagintἘξαπόστειλον αὐτὴν ἐξ ἁγίων οὐρανῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ θρόνου δόξης σου πέμψον αὐτὴν, ἵνα συμπαροῦσά μοι κοπιάσῃ, καὶ γνῷ τί εὐάρεστόν ἐστι παρὰ σοί.
For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power.
Greek · SeptuagintΟἶδε γὰρ ἐκείνη πάντα καὶ συνιεῖ, καὶ ὁδηγήσει με ἐν ταῖς πράξεσί μου σωφρόνως, καὶ φυλάξει με ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτῆς.
So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father's seat.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ ἔσται προσδεκτὰ τὰ ἔργα μου, καὶ διακρινῶ τὸν λαόν σου δικαίως, καὶ ἔσομαι ἄξιος θρόνων πατρός μου.
For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is?
Greek · SeptuagintΤίς γὰρ ἄνθρωπος γνώσεται βουλὴν Θεοῦ; ἢ τίς ἐνθυμηθήσεται τί θέλει ὁ Κύριος;
For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain.
Greek · SeptuagintΛογισμοὶ γὰρ θνητῶν δειλοὶ, καὶ ἐπισφαλεῖς αἱ ἐπίνοιαι ἡμῶν.
For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things.
Greek · SeptuagintΦθαρτὸν γὰρ σῶμα βαρύνει ψυχὴν, καὶ βρίθει τὸ γεῶδες σκῆνος νοῦν πολυφροντίδα.
And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out?
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ μόλις εἰκάζομεν τὰ ἐπὶ γῆς, καὶ τὰ ἐν χερσὶν εὑρίσκομεν μετὰ πόνου· τὰ δὲ ἐν οὐρανοῖς τίς ἐξιχνίασε;
And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above?
Greek · SeptuagintΒουλὴν δέ σου τίς ἔγνω, εἰ μὴ σὺ ἔδωκας σοφίαν, καὶ ἔπεμψας τὸ ἅγιόν σου πνεῦμα ἀπὸ ὑψίστων;
For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ οὕτως διωρθώθησαν αἱ τρίβοι τῶν ἐπὶ γῆς, καὶ τὰ ἀρεστά σου ἐδιδάχθησαν ἄνθρωποι, καὶ τῇ σοφίᾳ ἐσώθησαν.
She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall,
Greek · SeptuagintΑὕτη πρωτόπλαστον πατέρα κόσμου μόνον κτισθέντα διεφύλαξε, καὶ ἐξείλατο αὐτὸν ἐκ παραπτώματος ἰδίου,
and gave him power to rule all things.
Greek · Septuagintἔδωκέ τε αὐτῷ ἰσχὺν κρατῆσαι ἁπάντων.
But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.
Greek · SeptuagintἈποστὰς δὲ ἀπʼ αὐτῆς ἄδικος ἐν ὀργῇ αὐτοῦ, ἀδελφοκτόνοις συναπώλετο θυμοῖς,
For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value.
Greek · Septuagintδιʼ ὃν κατακλυζομένην γῆν πάλιν διέσωσε σοφία, διʼ εὐτελοῦς ξύλου τὸν δίκαιον κυβερνήσασα.
Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded, she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless unto God, and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son.
Greek · SeptuagintΑὕτη καὶ ἐν ὁμονοίᾳ πονηρίας ἐθνῶν συγχυθέντων εὗρε τὸν δίκαιον, καὶ ἐτήρησεν αὐτὸν ἄμεμπτον Θεῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τέκνου σπλάγχνοις ἰσχυρὸν ἐφύλαξεν.
When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities.
Greek · SeptuagintΑὕτη δίκαιον, ἐξαπολλυμένων ἀσεβῶν, ἐῤῥύσατο φυγόντα πῦρ καταβάσιον Πενταπόλεως·
Of whose wickedness, even to this day the waste land that smoketh is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness: and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul.
Greek · Septuagintοἷς ἐτὶ μαρτύριον τῆς πονηρίας καπνιζομένη καθέστηκε χέρσος, καὶ ἀτελέσιν ὥραις καρποφοροῦντα φυτά· ἀπιστοῦσης ψυχῆς μνημεῖον ἑστηκυῖα στήλη ἁλός.
For regarding not wisdom, they gat not only this hurt, that they knew not the things which were good; but also left behind them to the world a memorial of their foolishness: so that in the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be hid.
Greek · SeptuagintΣοφίαν γὰρ παροδεύσαντες οὐ μόνον ἐβλάβησαν τοῦ μὴ γνῶναι τὰ καλὰ, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀφροσύνης ἀπέλιπον τῷ βίῳ μνημόσυνον, ἵνα ἐν οἷς ἐσφάλησαν μηδὲ λαθεῖν δυνηθῶσι.
But wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her.
Greek · SeptuagintΣοφία δὲ τοὺς θεραπεύσαντας αὐτὴν ἐκ πόνων ἐῤῥύσατο.
When the righteous fled from his brother's wrath, she guided him in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied [the fruit of] his labours.
Greek · SeptuagintΑὕτη φυγάδα ὀργῆς ἀδελφοῦ δίκαιον ὡδήγησεν ἐν τρίβοις εὐθείαις, ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ βασιλείαν Θεοῦ, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ γνῶσιν ἁγίων, εὐπόρησεν αὐτὸν ἐν μόχθοις, καὶ ἐπλήθυνε τοὺς πόνους αὐτοῦ.
In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him, and made him rich.
Greek · SeptuagintἘν πλεονεξίᾳ κατισχύοντων αὐτὸν παρέστη, καὶ ἐπλούτισεν αὐτόν.
She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that godliness is stronger than all.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιεφύλαξεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ ἐχθρῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ ἐνεδρευόντων ἠσφαλίσατο, καὶ ἀγῶνα ἰσχυρὸν ἐβράβευσεν αὐτῷ, ἵνα γνῷ, ὅτι παντὸς δυνατωτέρα ἐστὶν εὐσέβεια.
When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not, but delivered him from sin: she went down with him into the pit,
Greek · SeptuagintΑὕτη πραθέντα δίκαιον οὐκ ἐγκατέλιπεν, ἀλλὰ ἐξ ἁμαρτίας ἐῤῥύσατο αὐτόν·
and left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and gave him perpetual glory.
Greek · Septuagintσυγκατέβη αὐτῷ εἰς λάκκον, καὶ ἐν δεσμοῖς οὐκ ἀφῆκεν αὐτὸν, ἕως ἤνεγκεν αὐτῷ σκῆπτρα βασιλείας καὶ ἐξουσίαν τυραννούντων αὐτοῦ· ψευδεῖς τε ἔδειξε τοὺς μωμησαμένους αὐτὸν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ δόξαν αἰώνιον.
She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them.
Greek · SeptuagintΑὕτη λαὸν ὅσιον καὶ σπέρμα ἄμεμπτον ἐῤῥύσατο ἐξ ἔθνους θλιβόντων.
She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, and withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs;
Greek · SeptuagintΕἰσῆλθεν εἰς ψυχὴν θεράποντος Κυρίου, καὶ ἀντέστη βασιλεῦσι φοβεροῖς ἐν τέρασι καὶ σημείοις.
rendered to the righteous a reward of their labours, guided them in a marvellous way, and was unto them for a cover by day, and a light of stars in the night season;
Greek · SeptuagintἈπέδωκεν ὁσίοις μισθὸν κόπων αὐτῶν, ὡδήγησεν αὐτοὺς ἐν ὁδῷ θαυμαστῇ, καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτοῖς εἰς σκέπην ἡμέρας, καὶ εἰς φλόγα ἄστρων τὴν νύκτα.
brought them through the Red sea, and led them through much water:
Greek · SeptuagintΔιεβίβασεν αὐτοὺς θάλασσαν ἐρυθρὰν, καὶ διήγαγεν αὐτοὺς διʼ ὕδατος πολλοῦ.
but she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep.
Greek · SeptuagintΤοὺς δὲ ἐχθροὺς αὐτῶν κατέκλυσε, καὶ ἐκ βάθους ἀβύσσου ἀνέβρασεν αὐτούς.
Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly, and praised thy holy name, O Lord, and magnified with one accord thine hand, that fought for them.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιὰ τοῦτο δίκαιοι ἐσκύλευσαν ἀσεβεῖς, καὶ ὕμνησαν Κύριε τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ἅγιόν σου, τήν τε ὑπέρμαχόν σου χεῖρα ᾔνεσαν ὁμοθυμαδόν.
For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of them that cannot speak eloquent.
Greek · SeptuagintὍτι ἡ σοφία ἤνοιξε στόμα κωφῶν, καὶ γλώσσας νηπίων ἔθηκε τρανάς.
She prospered their works in the hand of the holy prophet.
Greek · SeptuagintΕὐωδώσε τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ἐν χειρὶ προφήτου ἁγίου.
They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited, and pitched tents in places where there lay no way.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιώδευσαν ἔρημον ἀοίκητον, καὶ ἐν ἀβάτοις ἔπηξαν σκηνάς.
They stood against their enemies, and were avenged of their adversaries.
Greek · SeptuagintἈντέστησαν πολεμίοις, καὶ ἠμύναντο ἐχθρούς.
When they were thirsty, they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the flinty rock, and their thirst was quenched out of the hard stone.
Greek · SeptuagintἘδίψησαν καὶ ἐπεκαλέσαντό σε, καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἐκ πέτρας ἀκροτόμου ὕδωρ, καὶ ἴαμα δίψης ἐκ λίθου σκληροῦ.
For by what things their enemies were punished, by the same they in their need were benefited.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιʼ ὧν γὰρ ἐκολάσθησαν οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτῶν, διὰ τούτων αὐτοὶ ἀποροῦντες εὐεργετήθησαν.
For instead of a fountain of a perpetual running river troubled with foul blood,
Greek · SeptuagintἈντὶ μὲν πηγῆς ἀεννάου ποταμοῦ αἵματι λυθρώδει ταραχθέντες
for a manifest reproof of that commandment, whereby the infants were slain, thou gavest unto them abundance of water by a means which they hoped not for:
Greek · Septuagintεἰς ἔλεγχον νηπιοκτόνου διατάγματος, ἔδωκας αὐτοῖς δαψιλὲς ὕδωρ ἀνελπίστως·
declaring by that thirst then how thou hadst punished their adversaries.
Greek · Septuagintδείξας διὰ τοῦ τότε δίψους πῶς τοὺς ὑπεναντίους ἐκόλασας.
For when they were tried, albeit but in mercy chastised, they knew how the ungodly were judged in wrath and tormented, thirsting in another manner than the just.
Greek · SeptuagintὍτε γὰρ ἐπειράσθησαν, καίπερ ἐν ἐλέει παιδευόμενοι, ἔγνωσαν πῶς ἐν ὀργῇ κρινόμενοι ἀσεβεῖς ἐβασανίζοντο.
For these thou didst admonish and try, as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst condemn and punish.
Greek · SeptuagintΤούτους μὲν γὰρ ὡς πατὴρ νουθεντῶν ἐδοκίμασας, ἐκείνους δὲ ὡς ἀπότομος βασιλεὺς καταδικάζων ἐξήτασας.
Whether they were absent or present, they were vexed alike.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ ἀπόντες δὲ καὶ παρόντες ὁμοίως ἐτρύχοντο.
For a double grief came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιπλῆ γὰρ αὐτοὺς ἔλαβε λύπη, καὶ στεναγμὸς μνημῶν τῶν παρελθουσῶν.
For when they heard by their own punishments the other to be benefited, they had some feeling of the Lord.
Greek · SeptuagintὍτε γὰρ ἤκουσαν διὰ τῶν ἰδίων κολάσεων εὐεργετουμένους αὐτοὺς, ᾔσθοντο τοῦ Κυρίου.
For whom they rejected with scorn, when he was long before thrown out at the casting forth [of the infants], him in the end, when they saw what came to pass, they admired.
Greek · SeptuagintΤὸν γὰρ ἐν ἐκθέσει πάλαι ῥιφέντα ἀπεῖπον χλευάζοντες, ἐπὶ τέλει τῶν ἐκβάσεων ἐθαύμασαν, οὐχ ὅμοια δικαίοις διψήσαντες.
But for the foolish devices of their wickedness, wherewith being deceived they worshipped serpents void of reason, and vile beasts, thou didst send a multitude of unreasonable beasts upon them for vengeance:
Greek · SeptuagintἈντὶ δὲ λογισμῶν ἀσυνέτων ἀδικίας αὐτῶν, ἐν οἷς πλανηθέντες ἐθρήσκευον ἄλογα ἑρπετὰ καὶ κνώδαλα εὐτελῆ, ἐπαπέστειλας αὐτοῖς πλῆθος ἀλόγων ζώων εἰς ἐκδίκησιν,
that they might know, that wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same shall he be punished.
Greek · Septuagintἵνα γνῶσιν ὅτι διʼ ὧν τις ἁμαρτάνει, διὰ τούτων κολάζεται.
For thy Almighty hand, that made the world of matter without form, wanted not means to send among them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,
Greek · SeptuagintΟὐ γὰρ ἠπόρει ἡ παντοδύναμός σου χεὶρ κτίσασα τὸν κόσμον ἐξ ἀμόρφου ὕλης, ἐπιπέμψαι αὐτοῖς πλῆθος ἄρκων, ἢ θρασεῖς λέοντας,
or unknown wild beasts, full of rage, newly created, breathing out either a fiery vapour, or filthy scents of scattered smoke, or shooting horrible sparkles out of their eyes:
Greek · Septuagintἢ νεοκτίστους θυμοῦ πλήρεις θῆρας ἀγνώστους, ἤτοι πυρπνόον φυσῶντας ἆσθμα, ἢ βρόμους λικμωμένους καπνοῦ, ἢ δεινοὺς ἀπʼ ὀμμάτων σπινθῆρας ἀστράπτοντας·
whereof not only the harm might dispatch them at once, but also the terrible sight utterly destroy them.
Greek · Septuagintὧν οὐ μόνον ἡ βλάβη ἠδύνατο συνεκτρίψαι αὐτοὺς, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἡ ὄψις ἐκφοβήσασα διολέσαι.
Yea, and without these might they have fallen down with one blast, being persecuted of vengeance, and scattered abroad through the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure and number and weight.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ χωρὶς δὲ τούτων, ἑνὶ πνεύματι πεσεῖν ἐδύναντο ὑπὸ τῆς δίκης διωχθέντες, καὶ λικμηθέντες ὑπὸ πνεύματος δυνάμεώς σου· ἀλλὰ πάντα μέτρῳ καὶ ἀριθμῷ καὶ σταθμῷ διέταξας.
For thou canst shew thy great strength at all times when thou wilt; and who may withstand the power of thine arm?
Greek · SeptuagintΤὸ γὰρ μεγάλως ἰσχύειν πάρεστί σοι πάντοτε, καὶ κράτει βραχίονός σου τις ἀντιστήσεται;
For the whole world before thee is as a little grain of the balance, yea, as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down upon the earth.
Greek · SeptuagintὍτι ὡς ῥοπὴ ἐκ πλαστίγγων ὅλος ὁ κόσμος ἐναντίον σου, καὶ ὡς ῥανὶς δρόσον ὀρθρινὴ κατελθοῦσα ἐπὶ γῆν.
But thou hast mercy upon all; for thou canst do all things, and winkest at the sins of men, because they should amend.
Greek · SeptuagintἘλεεῖς δὲ πάντας, ὅτι πάντα δύνασαι, καὶ παρορᾷς ἁμαρτήματα ἀνθρώπων εἰς μετάνοιαν.
For thou lovest all the things that are, and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made: for never wouldest thou have made any thing, if thou hadst hated it.
Greek · SeptuagintἈγαπᾷς γὰρ τὰ ὄντα πάντα, καὶ οὐδὲν βδελύσσῃ ὧν ἐποίησας, οὐδὲ γὰρ ἂν μισῶν τι κατεσκεύασας.
And how could any thing have endured, if it had not been thy will? or been preserved, if not called by thee?
Greek · SeptuagintΠῶς δὲ ἔμεινεν ἄν τι εἰ μὴ σὺ ἐθέλησας; ἢ τὸ μὴ κληθὲν ὑπὸ σοῦ διετηρήθη;
But thou sparest all: for they are thine, O Lord, thou lover of souls.
Greek · SeptuagintΦείδῃ δὲ πάντων, ὅτι σά ἐστι, δέσποτα φιλόψυχε.
For thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things.
Greek · SeptuagintΤὸ γὰρ ἄφθαρτόν σου πνεῦμά ἐστιν ἐν πᾶσι.
Therefore chastenest thou them by little and little that offend, and warnest them by putting them in remembrance wherein they have offended, that leaving their wickedness they may believe on thee, O Lord.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιὸ τοὺς παραπίπτοντας κατʼ ὀλίγον ἐλέγχεις, καὶ ἐν οἷς ἁμαρτάνουσιν ὑπομιμνήσκων νουθετεῖς, ἵνα ἀπαλλαγέντες τῆς κακίας πιστεύσωσιν ἐπὶ σὲ Κύριε.
For it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our fathers both those old inhabitants of thy holy land,
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ γὰρ τοὺς παλαιοὺς οἰκήτορας τῆς ἁγίας σου γῆς
whom thou hatedst for doing most odious works of witchcrafts, and wicked sacrifices;
Greek · Septuagintμισήσας, ἐπὶ τῷ ἔχθιστα πράσσειν ἔργα φαρμακειῶν, καὶ τελετὰς ἀνοσίους,
and also those merciless murderers of children, and devourers of man's flesh, and the feasts of blood,
Greek · Septuagintτέκνων τε φονέας ἀνελεήμονας, καὶ σπλαγχνοφάγων ἀνθρωπίνων σαρκῶν θοῖναν,
with their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew, and the parents, that killed with their own hands souls destitute of help:
Greek · Septuagintκαὶ αἴματος ἐκ μέσου μυσταθείας σου, καὶ αὐθέντας γονεῖς ψυχῶν ἀβοηθήτων, ἐβουλήθης ἀπολέσαι διὰ χειρῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν·
that the land, which thou esteemedst above all other, might receive a worthy colony of God's children.
Greek · Septuagintἵνα ἀξίαν ἀποικίαν δέξηται Θεοῦ παίδων ἡ παρὰ σοὶ πασῶν τιμιωτάτη γῆ.
Nevertheless even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps, forerunners of thine host, to destroy them by little and little.
Greek · SeptuagintἈλλὰ καὶ τούτων ὡς ἀνθρώπων ἐφείσω, ἀπέστειλάς τε προδρόμους τοῦ στρατοπέδου σου σφῆκας, ἵνα αὐτοὺς καταβραχὺ ἐξολοθρεύσωσιν.
Not that thou wast unable to bring the ungodly under the hand of the righteous in battle, or to destroy them at once with cruel beasts, or with one rough word:
Greek · SeptuagintΟὐκ ἀδυνατῶν ἐν παρατάξει ἀσεβεῖς δικαίοις ὑποχειρίους δοῦναι, ἢ θηρίοις δεινοῖς, ἢ λόγῳ ἀποτόμῳ ὑφʼ ἓν ἐκτρίψαι·
but executing thy judgments upon them by little and little, thou gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a naughty generation, and that their malice was bred in them, and that their cogitation would never be changed.
Greek · Septuagintκρίνων δὲ καταβραχὺ ἐδίδους τόπον μετανοίας, οὐκ ἀγνοῶν, ὅτι πονηρὰ ἡ γένεσις αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔμφυτος ἡ κακία αὐτῶν, καὶ ὅτι οὐ μὴ ἀλλαγῇ ὁ λογισμὸς αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα·
For it was a cursed seed from the beginning; neither didst thou for fear of any man give them pardon for those things wherein they sinned.
Greek · Septuagintσπέρμα γὰρ ἦν κατηραμένον ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς· οὐδὲ εὐλαβούμενός τινα, ἐφʼ οἷς ἡμάρτανον ἄδειαν ἐδίδους.
For who shall say, What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall accuse thee for the nations that perish, whom thou hast made? or who shall come to stand against thee, to be revenged for the unrighteous men?
Greek · SeptuagintΤίς γὰρ ἐρεῖ, τί ἐποίησας; ἢ τίς ἀντιστήσεται τῷ κρίματί σου; τίς δὲ ἐγκαλέσει σοι κατὰ ἐθνῶν ἀπολωλότων, ἃ σὺ ἐποίησας; ἢ τίς εἰς κατάστασίν σοι ἐλεύσεται ἔκδικος κατὰ ἀδίκων ἀνθρώπων;
For neither is there any God but thou that careth for all, to whom thou mightest shew that thy judgment is not unright.
Greek · SeptuagintΟὔτε γὰρ Θεός ἐστι πλὴν σοῦ, ᾧ μέλει περὶ πάντων, ἵνα δείξῃς ὅτι οὐκ ἀδίκως ἔκρινας.
Neither shall king or tyrant be able to set his face against thee for any whom thou hast punished.
Greek · SeptuagintΟὔτε βασιλεὺς ἢ τύραννος ἀντοφθαλμῆσαι δυνήσεταί σοι περὶ ὧν ἀπώλεσας.
Forsomuch then as thou art righteous thyself, thou orderest all things righteously: thinking it not agreeable with thy power to condemn him that hath not deserved to be punished.
Greek · SeptuagintΔίκαιος δὲ ὢν δικαίως τὰ πάντα διέπεις, αὐτὸν τὸν μὴ ὀφείλοντα κολασθῆναι καταδικάσαι ἀλλότριαν ἡγούμενος τῆς σῆς δυνάμεως.
For thy power is the beginning of righteousness, and because thou art the Lord of all, it maketh thee to be gracious unto all.
Greek · SeptuagintἩ γὰρ ἰσχύς σου δικαιοσύνης ἀρχὴ, καὶ τὸ πάντων σε δεσπόζειν, πάντων φείδεσθαι ποιεῖ.
For when men will not believe that thou art of a full power, thou shewest thy strength, and among them that know it thou makest their boldness manifest.
Greek · SeptuagintἸσχὺν γὰρ ἐνδείκνυσαι ἀπιστούμενος ἐπὶ δυνάμεως τελειότητι, καὶ ἐν τοῖς εἰδόσι τὸ θράσος ἐξελέγχεις.
But thou, mastering thy power, judgest with equity, and orderest us with great favour: for thou mayest use power when thou wilt.
Greek · SeptuagintΣὺ δὲ δεσπόζεν ἰσχύος ἐν ἐπιεικείᾳ κρίνεις καὶ μετὰ πολλῆς φειδοῦς διοικεῖς ἡμᾶς· πάρεστι γάρ σοι ὅταν θέλῃς τὸ δύνασθαι.
But by such works hast thou taught thy people that the just man should be merciful, and hast made thy children to be of a good hope that thou givest repentance for sins.
Greek · SeptuagintἘδίδαξας δέ σου τὸν λαὸν διὰ τῶν τοιούτων ἔργων, ὅτι δεῖ τὸν δίκαιον εἶναι φιλάνθρωπον· καὶ εὐέλπιδας ἐποίησας τοὺς υἱούς σου, ὅτι δίδως ἑπὶ ἁμαρτήμασι μετάνοιαν.
For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy children, and the condemned to death, with such deliberation, giving them time and place whereby they might be delivered from their malice:
Greek · SeptuagintΕἰ γὰρ ἐχθροὺς παίδων σου καὶ ὀφειλομένους θανάτῳ μετὰ τοσαύτης ἐτιμώρησας προσοχῆς καὶ δεήσεως, δοὺς χρόνους καὶ τόπον διʼ ὧν ἀπαλλαγῶσι τῆς κακίας·
with how great circumspection didst thou judge thine own sons, unto whose fathers thou hast sworn, and made covenants of good promises?
Greek · Septuagintμετὰ πόσης ἀκριβείας ἔκρινας τοὺς υἱούς σου ὧν τοῖς πατράσιν ὅρκους καὶ συνθήκας ἔδωκας ἀγαθῶν ὑποσχέσεων;
Therefore, whereas thou dost chasten us, thou scourgest our enemies a thousand times more, to the intent that, when we judge, we should carefully think of thy goodness, and when we ourselves are judged, we should look for mercy.
Greek · SeptuagintἩμᾶς οὖν παιδεύων, τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἡμῶν ἐν μυριότητι μαστιγοῖς, ἵνα σου τὴν ἀγαθότητα μεριμνῶμεν κρίνοντες, κρινόμενοι δὲ προσδοκῶμει ἔλεος.
Wherefore, whereas men have lived dissolutely and unrighteously, thou hast tormented them with their own abominations.
Greek · SeptuagintὍθεν καὶ τοὺς ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ ζωῆς βιώσαντας ἀδίκους, διὰ τῶν ἰδίων ἐβασάνισας βδελυγμάτων.
For they went astray very far in the ways of error, and held them for gods, which even among the beasts of their enemies were despised, being deceived, as children of no understanding.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ γὰρ τῶν πλάνης ὁδῶν μακρότερον ἐπλανήθησαν, θεοὺς ὑπολαμβάνοντες τὰ καὶ ἐν ζώοις τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἄτιμα, νηπίων δίκην ἀφρόνων ψευσθέντες.
Therefore unto them, as to children without the use of reason, thou didst send a judgment to mock them.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιὰ τοῦτο ὡς παισὶν ἀλογίστοις τὴν κρίσιν εἰς ἐμπαιγμὸν ἔπεμψας.
But they that would not be reformed by that correction, wherein he dallied with them, shall feel a judgment worthy of God.
Greek · SeptuagintΟἱ δὲ παιγνίοις ἐπιτιμήσεως μὴ νουθετηθέντες, ἀξίαν Θεοῦ κρίσιν πειράσουσιν.
For, look, for what things they grudged, when they were punished, that is, for them whom they thought to be gods; [now] being punished in them, when they saw it, they acknowledged him to be the true God, whom before they denied to know; and therefore came extreme damnation upon them.
Greek · SeptuagintἘφʼ οἷς γὰρ αὐτοὶ πάσχοντες ἠγανάκτουν, ἐπὶ τούτοις οὓς ἐδόκουν θεοὺς, ἐν αὐτοῖς κολαζόμενοι, ἰδόντες ὃν πάλαι ἠρνοῦντο εἰδέναι, Θεὸν ἐπέγνωσαν ἀληθῆ· διὸ καὶ τὸ τέρμα τῆς καταδίκης ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς ἐπῆλθε.
Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not out of the good things that are seen know him that is: neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster;
Greek · SeptuagintΜάταιοι μὲν γὰρ πάντες ἄνθρωποι φύσει, οἷς παρῆν Θεοῦ ἀγνωσία, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ὁρομένων ἀγαθῶν οὐκ ἴσχυσαν εἰδέναι τὸν ὄντα, οὔτε τοῖς ἔργοις προσχόντες ἐπέγνωσαν τὸν τεχνίτην.
but deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the gods which govern the world.
Greek · SeptuagintἈλλʼ ἢ πῦρ, ἢ πνεῦμα, ἢ ταχινὸν ἀέρα, ἢ κύκλον ἄστρων, ἢ βίαιον ὕδωρ, ἢ φωστῆρας οὐρανοῦ, πρυτάνεις κόσμου θεοὺς ἐνόμισαν.
With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be gods; let them know how much better the Lord of them is: for the first author of beauty hath created them.
Greek · SeptuagintὯν εἰ μὲν τῇ καλλονῇ τερπόμενοι, θεοὺς ὑπελάμβανον, γνώτωσαν πόσῳ τούτων ὁ δεσπότης ἐστὶ βελτίων· ὁ γὰρ τοῦ κάλλους γενεσιάρχης ἔκτισεν αὐτά.
But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them, how much mightier he is that made them.
Greek · SeptuagintΕἰ δὲ δύναμιν καὶ ἐνέργειαν ἐκπλαγέντες, νοησάτωσαν ἀπʼ αὐτῶν πόσῳ ὁ κατασκευάσας αὐτὰ δυνατώτερός ἐστιν.
For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures proportionably the maker of them is seen.
Greek · SeptuagintἘκ γὰρ μεγέθους καλλονῆς κτισμάτων ἀναλόγως ὁ γενεσιουργὸς αὐτῶν θεωρεῖται.
But yet for this they are the less to be blamed: for they peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find him.
Greek · SeptuagintἈλλʼ ὅμως ἐπὶ τούτοις ἐστὶ μέμψις ὀλίγη, καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ τάχα πλανῶνται Θεὸν ζητοῦντες, καὶ θέλοντες εὑρεῖν.
For being conversant in his works they search [him] diligently, and believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that are seen.
Greek · SeptuagintἘν γὰρ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ ἀναστρεφόμενοι διερευνῶσι, καὶ πείθονται τῇ ὄψει, ὅτι καλὰ τὰ βλεπόμενα.
Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned.
Greek · SeptuagintΠάλιν δὲ οὐδʼ αὐτοὶ συγγνωστοί.
For if they were able to know so much, that they could aim at the world; how did they not sooner find out the Lord thereof?
Greek · SeptuagintΕἰ γὰρ τοσοῦτον ἴσχυσαν εἰδέναι, ἵνα δύνωνται στοχάσασθαι τὸν αἰῶνα, τὸν τούτων δεσπότην πῶς τάχιον οὐχ εὗρον;
But miserable are they, and in dead things is their hope, who called them gods, which are the works of men's hands, gold and silver, to shew art in, and resemblances of beasts, or a stone good for nothing, the work of an ancient hand.
Greek · SeptuagintΤαλαίπωροι δὲ καὶ ἐν νεκροῖς αἱ ἐλπίδες αὐτων, οἵτινες ἐκάλεσαν θεοὺς ἔργα χειρῶν ἀνθρώπων, χρυσὸν καὶ ἄργυρον τέχνης ἐμμελέτημα, καὶ ἀπεικάσματα ζώων, ἢ λίθον ἄχρηστον χειρὸς ἔργον ἀρχαίας.
Now a carpenter that felleth timber, after he hath sawn down a tree meet for the purpose, and taken off all the bark skilfully round about, and hath wrought it handsomely, and made a vessel thereof fit for the service of man's life;
Greek · SeptuagintΕἰ δὲ καί τις ὑλοτῦμος τέκτων εὐκίνητον φυτὸν ἐκπρίσας, περιέξυσεν εὐμαθῶς πάντα τὸν φλοιὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τεχνησέμενος εὐπρεπῶς κατεσκεύασε χρήσιμον σκεῦος εἰς ὑπηρεσίαν ζωῆς,