Axial Commons
and after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat, hath filled himself;
Greek · Septuagintτὰ δὲ ἀποβλήματα τῆς ἐργασίας εἰς ἑτοιμασίαν τροφῆς ἀναλώσας ἐνεπλήσθη,
Hebrew / Jewish
Septuagint (Greek Old Testament)
Wisdom
and taking the very refuse among those which served to no use, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, hath carved it diligently when he had nothing else to do, and formed it by the skill of his understanding, and fashioned it to the image of a man;
Greek · Septuagintτὸ δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀπόβλημα εἰς οὐθὲν εὔχρηστον, ξύλον σκολιὸν, καὶ ὄζοις συμπεφυκὸς, λαβὼν ἔγλυψεν ἐν ἐπιμελείᾳ ἀργίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐμπειρίᾳ συνέσεως ἐτύπωσεν αὐτὸ, ἀπείκασεν αὐτὸ εἰκόνι ἀνθρώπου,
or made it like some vile beast, laying it over with vermilion, and with paint colouring it red, and colouring every spot therein;
Greek · Septuagintἢ ζώῳ τινὶ εὐτελεῖ ὡμοίωσεν αὐτὸ, καταχρίσας μίλτῳ, καὶ φύκει ἐρυθῄνας χρόαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ πᾶσαν κηλίδα τὴν ἐν αὐτῷ καταχρίσας.
and when he had made a convenient room for it, set it in a wall, and made it fast with iron:
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ ποιήσας αὐτῷ αὐτοῦ ἄξιον οἴκημα, ἐν τοίχῳ ἔθηκεν αὐτὸ ἀσφαλισάμενος σιδήρῳ·
for he provided for it that it might not fall, knowing that it was unable to help itself; for it is an image, and hath need of help.
Greek · Septuagintἵνα μὲν οὖν μὴ καταπέσῃ, προενόησεν αὐτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἀδυνατεῖ ἑαυτῷ βοηθῆσαι, καὶ γάρ ἐστιν εἰκὼν, καὶ χρείαν ἔχει βοηθείας.
Then maketh he prayer for his goods, for his wife and children, and is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life.
Greek · SeptuagintΠερὶ δὲ κτημάτων καὶ γάμων αὐτοῦ καὶ τέκνων προσευχόμενος, οὐκ αἰσχύνεται τῷ ἀψύχῳ προσλαλῶν.
For health he calleth upon that which is weak: for life prayeth to that which is dead: for aid humbly beseecheth that which hath least means to help: and for a good journey he asketh of that which cannot set a foot forward:
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ περὶ μὲν ὑγείας τὸ ἀσθενὲς ἐπικαλεῖται, περὶ δὲ ζωῆς τὸν νεκρὸν ἀξιοῖ, περὶ δὲ ἐπικουρίας τὸν ἀπειρότατον ἱκετεύει, περὶ δὲ ὁδοιπορίας τὸ μηδὲ βάσει χρῆσθαι δυνάμενον,
and for gaining and getting, and for good success of his hands, asketh ability to do of him, that is most unable to do any thing.
Greek · Septuagintπερὶ δὲ πορισμοῦ καὶ ἐργασίας καὶ χειρῶν ἐπιτυχίας τὸ ἀδρανέστατον ταῖς χερσὶν εὐδράνειαν αἰτεῖται.
Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carrieth him.
Greek · SeptuagintΠλοῦν τις πάλιν στελλόμενος, καὶ ἄγρια μέλλων διοδεύειν κύματα, τοῦ φέροντος αὐτὸν πλοίου σαθρότερον ξύλον ἐπιβοᾶται.
For verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it by his skill.
Greek · SeptuagintἘκεῖνο μὲν γὰρ ὄρεξις πορισμῶν ἐπενόησε, τεχνίτης δὲ σοφίᾳ κατεσκεύασεν·
But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves;
Greek · Septuagintἡ δὲ σὴ, Πάτερ, διακυβερνᾷ πρόνοια, ὅτι ἔδωκας καὶ ἐν θαλάσσῃ ὁδὸν καὶ ἐν κύμασι τρίβον ἀσφαλῆ·
shewing that thou canst save from all danger: yea, though a man went to sea without art.
Greek · Septuagintδεικνὺς ὅτι δύνασαι ἐκ παντὸς σώζειν, ἵνα κᾂν ἄνευ τέχνης τις ἐπιβῇ.
Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisdom should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved.
Greek · SeptuagintΘέλεις δὲ μὴ ἀργὰ εἶναι τὰ τῆς σοφίας σου ἔργα, διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἐλαχίστῳ ξύλῳ πιστεύουσιν ἄνθρωποι ψυχὰς, καὶ διελθόντες κλύδωνα σχεδίᾳ διεσώθησαν.
For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of generation.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ ἀρχῆς γὰρ ἀπολλυμένων ὑπερηφάνων γιγάντων, ἡ ἐλπὶς τοῦ κόσμου ἐπὶ σχεδίας καταφυγοῦσα, ἀπέλιπεν αἰῶνι σπέρμα γενέσεως τῇ σῇ κυβερνηθεῖσα χειρί.
For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh.
Greek · SeptuagintΕὐλόγηται γὰρ ξύλον διʼ οὗ γίνεται δικαιοσύνη.
But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he, because he made it: and it, because, being corruptible, it was called God.
Greek · SeptuagintΤὸ χειροποίητον δέ ἐπικατάρατον αὐτὸ, καὶ ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὸ, ὅτι ὁ μὲν εἰργάζετο, τὸ δὲ φθαρτὸν θεὸς ὠνομάσθη.
For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful unto God.
Greek · SeptuagintἘν ἴσῳ γὰρ μισητὰ Θεῷ καὶ ὁ ἀσεβῶν καὶ ἡ ἀσέβεια αὐτοῦ.
For that which is made shall be punished together with him that made it.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ γὰρ τὸ πραχθὲν σὺν τῷ δράσαντι κολασθησεται.
Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἐν εἰδώλοις ἐθνῶν ἐπισκοπὴ ἔσται, ὅτι ἐν κτίσματι Θεοῦ εἰς βδέλυγμα ἐγενήθησαν, καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλα ψυχαῖς ἀνθρώπων, καὶ εἰς παγίδα ποσὶνἀφρόνων.
For the devising of idols was the beginning of [spiritual] fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life.
Greek · SeptuagintἈρχὴ γὰρ πορνείας ἐπίνοια εἰδώλων, εὕρεσις δὲ αὐτῶν φθορὰ ζωῆς.
For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be for ever.
Greek · SeptuagintΟὔτε γὰρ ἦν ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, οὔτε εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἔσται.
For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and therefore shall they come shortly to an end.
Greek · SeptuagintΚενοδοξίᾳ γὰρ ἀνθρώπων εἰσῆλθεν εἰς κόσμον, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο σύντομον αὐτῶν τέλος ἐπενοήθη.
For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath made an image of his child soon taken away, now honoured him as a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that were under him ceremonies and sacrifices.
Greek · SeptuagintἈώρῳ γὰρ πένθει τρυχόμενος πατὴρ, τοῦ ταχέως ἀφαιρεθέντος τέκνου εἰκόνα ποιήσας, τὸν τότε νεκρὸν ἄνθρωπον, νῦν ὡς θεὸν ἐτίμησεν, καὶ παρέδωκε τοῖς ὑποχειρίοις μυστήρια καὶ τελετάς.
Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings.
Greek · SeptuagintΕἶτα ἐν χρόνῳ κρατυνθὲν τὸ ἀσεβὲς ἔθος ὡς νόμος ἐφυλάχθη,
Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made an express image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that by this their forwardness they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present.
Greek · Septuagintκαὶ τυράννων ἐπιταγαῖς ἐθρησκεύετο τὰ γλυπτά· οὓς ἐν ὄψει μὴ δυνάμενοι τιμᾷν ἄνθρωποι διὰ τὸ μακρὰν οἰκεῖν, τὴν πόῤῥωθεν ὄψιν ἀνατυπωσάμενοι, ἐμφανῆ εἰκόνα τοῦ τιμωμένου βασιλέως ἐποίησαν, ἵνα τὸν ἀπόντα ὡς παρόντα κολακεύωσι διὰ τῆς σπουδῆς.
Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition.
Greek · SeptuagintΕἰς ἐπίτασιν δὲ θρησκείας καὶ τοὺς ἀγνοοῦντας ἡ τοῦ τεχνίτου προετρέψατο φιλοτιμία.
For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion.
Greek · SeptuagintὉ μὲν γὰρ τάχα τῷ κρατοῦντι βουλόμενος ἀρέσαι, ἐξεβιάσατο τῇ τέχνῃ τὴν ὁμοιότητα ἐπὶ τὸ κάλλιον.
And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured as a man.
Greek · SeptuagintΤὸ δὲ πλῆθος ἐφελκόμενον διὰ τὸ εὔχαρι τῆς ἐργασίας, τὸν πρὸ ὀλίγου τιμηθέντα ἄνθρωπον, νῦν σέβασμα ἐλογίσαντο.
And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and stocks the incommunicable name.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ τοῦτο ἐγένετο τῷ βίῳ εἰς ἔνεδρον, ὅτι ἢ συμφορᾷ ἢ τυραννίδι δουλεύσαντες ἄνθρωποι, τὸ ἀκοινώνητον ὄνομα λίθοις καὶ ξύλοις περιέθεσαν.
Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace.
Greek · SeptuagintΕἶτʼ οὐκ ἤρκεσε τὸ πλανᾶσθαι περὶ τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ γνῶσιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ μεγάλῳ ζῶντες ἀγνοίας πολέμῳ, τὰ τοσαῦτα κακὰ εἰρήνην προσαγορεύουσιν.
For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, or used secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites;
Greek · SeptuagintἪ γὰρ τεκνοφόνους τελετὰς, ἢ κρύφια μυστήρια, ἢ ἐμμανεῖς ἐξ ἄλλων θεσμῶν κώμους ἄγοντες,
they kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but either one slew another traiterously or grieved him by adultery.
Greek · Septuagintοὔτε βίους οὔτε γάμους καθαροὺς ἔτι φυλάσσουσιν, ἕτερος δʼ ἕτερον ἢ λοχῶν ἀναιρεῖ, ἢ νοθεύων ὀδυνᾷ.
So that there reigned in all men without exception, blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury,
Greek · SeptuagintΠάντα δʼ ἐπιμὶξ ἔχει αἷμα καὶ φόνος, κλοπὴ καὶ δόλος, φθορὰ, ἀπιστία, ταραχὴ, ἐπιορκία,
disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness.
Greek · Septuagintθόρυβος ἀγαθῶν, χάριτος ἀμνησία, ψυχῶν μιασμὸς, γενέσεως ἐναλλαγὴ, γάμων ἀταξία, μοιχεία, καὶ ἀσέλγεια.
For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil.
Greek · SeptuagintἩ γὰρ τῶν ἀνωνύμων εἰδώλων θρησκεία παντὸς ἀρχὴ κακοῦ καὶ αἰτία καὶ πέρας ἐστίν.
For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves.
Greek · SeptuagintἪ γὰρ εὐφραινόμενοι μεμῄνασιν, ἢ προφητεύουσι ψευδῆ, ἢ ζῶσιν ἀδίκως, ἢ ἐπιορκοῦσι ταχέως.
For insomuch as their trust is in idols which have no life, though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt.
Greek · SeptuagintἈψύχοις γὰρ πεποιθότες εἰδώλοις, κακῶς ὀμόσαντες, ἀδικηθῆναι οὐ προσδέχονται.
Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both because they thought not well of God, giving heed unto idols, and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness.
Greek · SeptuagintἈμφότερα δὲ αὐτοὺς μετελεύσεται τὰ δίκαια, ὅτι κακῶς ἐφρόνησαν περὶ Θεοῦ προσχόντες εἰδώλοις, καὶ ἀδίκως ὤμοσαν ἐν δόλῳ καταφρονήσαντες ὁσιότητος.
For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is the just vengeance of sinners, that punisheth always the offence of the ungodly.
Greek · SeptuagintΟὐ γὰρ ἡ τῶν ὀμνυομένων δύναμις, ἀλλʼ ἡ τῶν ἁμαρτανόντων δίκη ἐπεξέρχεται ἀεὶ τὴν τῶν ἀδίκων παράβασιν.
But thou, our God, art gracious and true, long-suffering, and in mercy ordering all things.
Greek · SeptuagintΣὺ δὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν χρηστὸς καὶ ἀληθὴς, μακρόθυμος καὶ ἐν ἐλέει διοικῶν τὰ πάντα.
For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will not sin, knowing that we are counted thine.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ γὰρ ἐὰν ἁμάρτωμεν, σοί ἐσμεν, εἰδότες σου τὸ κράτος· οὐχ ἁμαρτησόμεθα δὲ, εἰδότες ὅτι σοὶ λελογίσμεθα.
For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality.
Greek · SeptuagintΤὸ γὰρ ἐπίστασθαί σε ὁλόκληρος δικαιοσύνη, καὶ εἰδέναι τὸ κράτος σου ῥίζα ἀθανασίας.
For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter's fruitless labour;
Greek · SeptuagintΟὔτε γὰρ ἐπλάνησεν ἡμᾶς ἀνθρώπων κακότεχνος ἐπίνοια, οὐδὲ σκιαγράφων πόνος ἄκαρπος, εἶδος σπιλωθὲν χρώμασι διηλλαγμένοις.
the sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so they desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath.
Greek · Septuagintὧν ὄψις ἄφροσιν εἰς ὄνειδος ἔρχεται, ποθεῖ, τε νεκρᾶς εἰκόνος εἶδος ἄπνουν.
Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they that worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to have such things to trust upon.
Greek · SeptuagintΚακῶν ἐρασταὶ ἄξιοί τε τοιούτων ἐλπίδων, καὶ οἱ δρῶντες, καὶ οἱ ποθοῦντες, καὶ οἱ σεβόμενοι.
For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel with much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise also all such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of either sort, the potter himself is the judge.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ γὰρ κεραμεὺς ἁπαλὴν γῆν θλίβων ἐπίμοχθον, πλάσσει πρὸς ὑπηρεσίαν ἡμῶν ἕκαστον. ἀλλʼ ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ πηλοῦ ἀνεπλάσατο τά τε τῶν καθαρῶν ἔργων δοῦλα σκεύη, τά τε ἐναντία, πάνθʼ ὁμοίως· τούτων δὲ ἑκατέρου τίς ἑκάστου ἐστὶν ἡ χρῆσις, κριτὴς ὁ πηλουργός.
And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth himself, and within a little while after returneth to the same, out of the which he was taken, when his life which was lent him shall be demanded.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ κακόμοχθος θεὸν μάταιον ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ πλάσσει πηλοῦ, ὃς πρὸ μικροῦ ἐκ γῆς γεννηθεὶς μετʼ ὀλίγον πορεύεται ἐξ ἧς ἐλήφθη, τὸ τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπαιτηθεὶς χρέος.
Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much labour, nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit things.
Greek · SeptuagintἈλλʼ ἔστιν αὐτῷ φροντὶς οὐχ ὅτι μέλλει κάμνειν, οὐδʼ ὅτι βραχυτελῆ βίον ἔχει, ἀλλʼ ἀντερείδεται μὲν χρυσουργοῖς καὶ ἀργυροχόοις, χαλκοπλάστας τε μιμεῖται, καὶ δόξαν ἡγεῖται ὅτι κίβδηλα πλάσσει.
His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his life of less value than clay:
Greek · SeptuagintΣποδὸς ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ, καὶ γῆς εὐτελεστέρα ἡ ἐλπὶς αὐτοῦ, πηδοῦ τε ἀτιμότερος ὁ βίος αὐτον·
forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit.
Greek · Septuagintὅτι ἠγνόησε τὸν πλάσαντα αὐτὸν, καὶ τὸν ἐμπνεύσαντα αὐτῷ ψυχὴν ἐνεργοῦσαν, καὶ ἐμφυσήσαντα πνεῦμα ζωτίκον.
But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a market for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way, though it be by evil means.
Greek · SeptuagintἈλλʼ ἐλογίσαντο παίγνιον εἶναι τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν, καὶ τὸν βίον πανεγυρισμὸν ἐπικερδῆ· δεῖν γάρ φησιν ὅθεν δὴ κᾂν ἐκ κακοῦ πορίζειν.
For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels and graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others.
Greek · SeptuagintΟὗτος γὰρ παρὰ πάντας οἶδεν ὅτι ἁμαρτάνει, ὕλης γεώδους εὔθραυστα σκεύη καὶ γλυπτὰ δημιουργῶν.
And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very babes.
Greek · SeptuagintΠάντες δʼ ἀφρονέστατοι καὶ τάλανες ὑπὲρ ψυχὴν νηπίου, οἱ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ λαοῦ σου καταδυναστεύσαντες αὐτόν.
For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods: which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as for their feet, they are slow to go.
Greek · SeptuagintὍτι καὶ πάντα εἴδωλα τῶν ἐθνῶν ἐλογίσαντο θεοὺς, οἷς οὔτε ὁμμάτων χρῆσις εἰς ὅρασιν, οὔτε ῥῖνες εἰς συνολκὴν ἀέρος, οὔτε ὦτα ἀκούειν, οὔτε δάκτυλοι χειρῶν εἰς ψηλάφησιν, καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτῶν ἀργοὶ πρὸς ἐπίβασιν.
For man made them, and he that borrowed his own spirit fashioned them: but no man can make a god like unto himself.
Greek · SeptuagintἌνθρωπος γὰρ ἐποίησεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα δεδανεισμένος ἔπλασεν αὐτούς· οὐδεὶς γὰρ αὐτῷ ὅμοιον ἄνθρωπος ἰσχύει πλάσαι θεόν·
For being mortal, he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands: for he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth: whereas [he] lived once, but they never.
Greek · Septuagintθνητὸς δὲ ὢν νεκρὸν ἐργάζεται χερσὶν ἀνόμοις· κρείττων γάρ ἐστι τῶν σεβασμάτων αὐτοῦ, ὧν αὐτὸς μὲν ἔζησεν, ἐκεῖνα δὲ οὐδέποτε.
Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful: for being compared together, some are worse than others.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ τὰ ζῶα δὲ τὰ ἔχθιστα σέβονται, ἄνοια γὰρ συγκρινόμενα τῶν ἄλλων ἐστὶ χείρονα.
Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in respect of beasts: but they went without the praise of God and his blessing.
Greek · SeptuagintΟὐδʼ ὅσον ἐπιποθῆσαι ὡς ἐν ζώων ὄψει καλὰ τυγχάνει, ἐκπέφευγε δὲ καὶ τὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἔπαινον καὶ τὴν εὐλογίαν αὐτοῦ.
Therefore by the like were they punished worthily, and by the multitude of beasts tormented.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιὰ τοῦτο διʼ ὁμοίων ἐκολάσθησαν ἀξίως, καὶ διὰ πλήθους κνωδάλον ἐβασανίσθησαν.
Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with thine own people, thou preparedst for them meat of a strange taste, even quails to stir up their appetite:
Greek · SeptuagintἈνθʼ ἧς κολάσεως εὐεργετήσας τὸν λαόν σου, εἰς ἐπιθυμίαν ὀρέξεως ξένην γεῦσιν, τροφὴν ἡτοίμασας ὀρτυγομήτραν,
to the end that they, desiring food, might for the ugly sight of the beasts sent among them lothe even that, which they must needs desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space, might be made partakers of a strange taste.
Greek · Septuagintἵνα ἐκεῖνοι μὲν ἐπιθυμοῦντες τροφὴν, διὰ τὴν εἰδέχθειαν τῶν ἐπαπεσταλμένων καὶ τὴν ἀναγκαίαν ὄρεξιν ἀποστρέφωνται, αὐτοὶ δὲ ἐπʼ ὀλίγον ἐνδεεῖς γενόμενοι καὶ ξένης μετάσχωσι γεύσεως.
For it was requisite, that upon them exercising tyranny should come penury, which they could not avoid: but to these it should only be shewed how their enemies were tormented.
Greek · SeptuagintἜδει γὰρ ἐκείνοις μὲν ἀπαραίτητον ἔνδειαν ἐπελθεῖν τυραννοῦσι, τούτοις δὲ μόνον δειχθῆναι πῶς οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτῶν ἐβασανίζοντο.
For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these, and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, thy wrath endured not for ever:
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ γὰρ ὅτε αὐτοῖς δεινὸς ἐπῆλθε θηρίων θυμὸς, δήγμασί τε σκολιῶν διεφθείροντο ὄφεων, οὐ μέχρι τέλους ἔμεινεν ἡ ὀργή σου.
But they were troubled for a small season, that they might be admonished, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law.
Greek · SeptuagintΕἰς νουθεσίαν δὲ πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐταράχθησαν, σύμβολον ἔχοντες σωτηρίας, εἰς ἀνάμνησιν ἐντολῆς νόμου σου.
For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw, but by thee, that art the Saviour of all.
Greek · SeptuagintὉ γὰρ ἐπιστραφεὶς οὐ διὰ τὸ θεωρούμενον ἐσώζετο, ἀλλὰ διὰ σὲ τὸν πάντων σωτῆρα.
And in this thou madest thine enemies confess, that it is thou who deliverest from all evil:
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ ἐν τούτῳ δὲ ἔπεισας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἡμῶν, ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ῥυόμενος ἐκ παντὸς κακοῦ.
for them the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed, neither was there found any remedy for their life: for they were worthy to be punished by such.
Greek · SeptuagintΟὓς μὲν γὰρ ἀκρίδων καὶ μυιῶν ἀπέκτεινε δήγματα, καὶ οὐχ εὑρέθη ἴαμα τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἄξιοι ησαν ὑπὸ τοιούτων κολασθῆναι.
But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame: for thy mercy was by them, and healed them.
Greek · SeptuagintΤοὺς δὲ υἱούς σου οὐδὲ ἰοβόλων δρακόντων ἐνίκησαν ὀδόντες, τὸ ἔλεος γάρ σου ἀντιπαρῆλθε καὶ ἰάσατο αὐτούς.
For they were pricked, that they should remember thy words; and were quickly saved, that not falling into deep forgetfulness, they might be continually mindful of thy goodness.
Greek · SeptuagintΕἰς γὰρ ὑπόμνησιν τῶν λογίων σου ἐνεκεντρίζοντο, καὶ ὀξέως διεσώζοντο, ἵνα μὴ εἰς βαθεῖαν ἐμπεσόντες λήθην, ἀπερίσπαστοι γένωνται τῆς σῆς εὐεργεσίας.
For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaister, that restored them to health: but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ γὰρ οὔτε βοτάνη οὔτε μάλαγμα ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτοὺς, ἀλλὰ ὁ σός Κύριε λόγος ὁ πάντα ἰώμενος.
For thou hast power of life and death: thou leadest to the gates of hell, and bringest up again.
Greek · SeptuagintΣὺ γὰρ ζωῆς καὶ θανάτου ἐξουσίαν ἔχεις, καὶ κατάγεις εἰς πύλας ᾅδου καὶ ἀνάγεις.
A man indeed killeth through his malice: and the spirit, when it is gone forth, returneth not; neither the soul received up cometh again.
Greek · SeptuagintἌνθρωπος δὲ ἀποκτέννει μὲν τῇ κακίᾳ αὐτοῦ, ἐξελθὸν δὲ πνεῦμα οὐκ ἀναστρέφει, οὐδὲ ἀναλύει ψυχὴν παραληφθεῖσαν.
But it is not possible to escape thine hand.
Greek · SeptuagintΤὴν δὲ σὴν χεῖρα φυγεῖν ἀδύνατόν ἐστιν.
For the ungodly, that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thine arm: with strange rains, hails, and showers, were they persecuted, that they could not avoid, and through fire were they consumed.
Greek · SeptuagintἈρνούμενοι γάρ σε εἰδέναι ἀσεβεῖς, ἐν ἰσχύϊ βραχίονός σου ἐμαστιγώθησαν, ξένοις ὑετοῖς καὶ χαλάζαις καὶ ὄμβροις διωκόμενοι ἀπαραιτήτοις, καὶ πυρὶ καταναλισκόμενοι.
For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force in the water, that quencheth all things: for the world fighteth for the righteous.
Greek · SeptuagintΤὸ γὰρ παραδοξότατον, ἐν τῷ πάντα σβεννῦντι ὕδατι πλεῖον ἐνήργει τὸ πῦρ· ὑπέρμαχος γὰρ ὁ κόσμος ἐστὶ δικαίων.
For sometime the flame was mitigated, that it might not burn up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly; but themselves might see and perceive that they were persecuted with the judgment of God.
Greek · SeptuagintΠοτὲ μὲν γὰρ ἡμεροῦτο φλὸξ, ἵνα μὴ καταφλέξῃ τὰ ἐπʼ ἀσεβεῖς ἀπεσταλμένα ζῶα, ἀλλʼ αὐτοὶ βλέποντες ἴδωσιν, ὅτι Θεοῦ κρίσει ἐλαύνονται.
And at another time it burneth even in the midst of water above the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land.
Greek · SeptuagintΠοτὲ δὲ καὶ μεταξὺ ὕδατος ὑπὲρ τὴν πυρὸς δυναμιν φλέγει, ἵνα ἀδίκου γῆς γεννήματα διαφθείρῃ.
Instead whereof thou feddest thine own people with angels' food, and didst send them from heaven bread prepared without their labour, able to content every man's delight, and agreeing to every taste.
Greek · SeptuagintἈνθʼ ὧν ἀγγέλων τροφὴν ἐψώμισας τὸ λαόν σου, καὶ ἕτοιμον ἄρτον αὐτοῖς ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ ἔπεμψας ἀκοπιάτως, πᾶσαν ἡδονὴν ἰσχύοντα καὶ πρὸς πᾶσαν ἁρμόνιον γεῦσιν.
For thy sustenance declared thy sweetness unto thy children, and serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man's liking.
Greek · SeptuagintἩ μὲν γὰρ ὑπόστασίς σου τὴν σὴν γλυκύτητα πρὸς τέκνα ἐνεφάνισε, τῇ δὲ τοῦ προσφερομένου ἐπιθυμίᾳ ὑπηρετῶν, πρὸς ὅ τις ἐβούλετο μετεκιρνᾶτο.
But snow and ice endured the fire, and melted not, that they might know that fire burning in the hail, and sparkling in the rain, did destroy the fruits of the enemies.
Greek · SeptuagintΧιὼν δὲ καὶ κρύσταλλος ὑπέμεινε πῦρ, καὶ οὐκ ἐτήκετο, ἵνα γνῶσιν ὅτι τοὺς τῶν ἐχθρῶν καρποὺς κατέφθειρε πῦρ φλεγομένον, ἐν τῇ χαλάζῃ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ὑετοῖς διαστράπτον.
But this again did even forget his own strength, that the righteous might be nourished.
Greek · SeptuagintΤοῦτο πάλιν δʼ ἵνα τραφῶσι δίκαιοι, καὶ τῆς ἰδίας ἐπιλελῆσθαι δυνάμεως.
For the creature that serveth thee, who art the Maker, increaseth his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment, and abateth his strength for the benefit of such as put their trust in thee.
Greek · SeptuagintἩ γὰρ κτίσις σοι τῷ ποιήσαντι ὑπηρετοῦσα, ἐπιτείνεται εἰς κόλασιν κατὰ τῶν ἀδίκων, καὶ ἀνίεται εἰς εὐεργεσίαν ὑπὲρ τῶν εἰς σὲ πεποιθότων.
Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all things, according to the desire of them that had need:
Greek · SeptuagintΔιὰ τοῦτο καὶ τότε εἰς πάντα μεταλλευομένη, τῇ παντοτρόφῳ σου δωρεᾷ ὑπηρετεῖ, πρὸς τὴν τῶν δεομένων θέλησιν·
that thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovest, might know, that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man: but that it is thy word, which preserveth them that put their trust in thee.
Greek · Septuagintἵνα μάθωσιν οἱ υἱοί σου, οὓς ἠγάπησας, Κύριε, ὅτι οὐχ αἱ γενέσεις τῶν καρπῶν τρέφουσιν ἄνθρωπον, ἀλλὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου τούς σοι πιστεύοντας διατηρεῖ.
For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, soon melted away:
Greek · SeptuagintΤὸ γὰρ ὑπὸ πυρὸς μὴ φθειρόμενον, ἁπλῶς ὑπὸ βραχείας ἀκτῖνος ἡλίου θερμαινόμενον ἐτήκετο·
that it might be known, that we must prevent the sun to give thee thanks, and at the dayspring pray unto thee.
Greek · Septuagintὅπως γνωστὸν ᾖ, ὅτι δεῖ φθάνειν τὸν ἥλιον ἐπʼ εὐχαριστίαν σου, καὶ πρὸς ἀνατολὴν φωτὸς ἐντυγχάνειν σοι.
For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's hoar frost, and shall run away as unprofitable water.
Greek · SeptuagintἈχαρίστου γὰρ ἐλπὶς ὡς χειμέριος πάχνη τακήσεται, καὶ ῥυήσεται ὡς ὕδωρ ἄχρηστον.
For great are thy judgments, and cannot be expressed: therefore unnurtured souls have erred.
Greek · SeptuagintΜεγάλαι γάρ σου αἱ κρίσεις καὶ δυσδιήγητοι· διὰ τοῦτο ἀπαίδευτοι ψυχαὶ ἐπλανήθησαν.
For when unrighteous men thought to oppress the holy nation; they being shut up in their houses, the prisoners of darkness, and fettered with the bonds of a long night, lay [there] exiled from the eternal providence.
Greek · SeptuagintὙπειληφότες γὰρ καταδυναστεύειν ἔθνος ἅγιον ἄνομοι, δέσμιοι σκότους καὶ μακρᾶς πεδῆται νυκτὸς, κατακλεισθέντες ὀρόφοις, φυγάδες τῆς αἰωνίου προνοίας ἔκειντο.
For while they supposed to lie hid in their secret sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being horribly astonished, and troubled with [strange] apparitions.
Greek · SeptuagintΛανθάνειν γὰρ νομίζοντες ἐπὶ κρυφαίοις ἁμαρτήμασιν, ἀφεγγεῖ λήθης παρακαλύμματι ἐσκορπίσθησαν, θαμβούμενοι δεινῶς καὶ ἰνδάλμασιν ἐκταρασσόμενοι.
For neither might the corner that held them keep them from fear: but noises [as of waters] falling down sounded about them, and sad visions appeared unto them with heavy countenances.
Greek · SeptuagintΟὐδὲ γὰρ ὁ κατέχων αὐτοὺς μυχὸς ἀφόβως διεφύλασσεν, ἦχοι δὲ καταράσσοντες αὐτοὺς περιεκόμπουν, και φάσματα ἀμειδήτοις κατηφῆ προσώποις ἐνεφανίζετο.
No power of the fire might give them light: neither could the bright flames of the stars endure to lighten that horrible night.
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ πυρὸς μὲν οὐδεμία βία κατίσχυε φωτίζειν, οὔτε ἄστρων ἔκλαμπροι φλόγες καταυγάζειν ὑπέμενον τὴν στυγνὴν ἐκείνην νύκτα.
Only there appeared unto them a fire kindled of itself, very dreadful: for being much terrified, they thought the things which they saw to be worse than the sight they saw not.
Greek · SeptuagintΔιεφαίνετο δʼ αὐτοῖς μόνον αὐτομάτη πυρὰ φόβου πλήρης, ἐκδειματούμενοι δὲ τῆς μὴ θεωρουμένης ἐκείνης ὄψεως, ἡγοῦντο χείρω τὰ βλεπόμενα.
As for the illusions of art magic, they were put down, and their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace.
Greek · SeptuagintΜαγικῆς δὲ ἐμπαίγματα κατέκειτο τέχνης, καὶ τῆς ἐπὶ φρονήσει ἀλαζονείας ἔλεγχος ἐφύβριστος.
For they, that promised to drive away terrors and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of fear, worthy to be laughed at.
Greek · SeptuagintΟἱ γὰρ ὑπισχνούμενοι δείματα καὶ ταραχὰς ἀπελαύνειν ψυχῆς νοσούσης, οὗτοι καταγέλαστον εὐλάβειαν ἐνόσουν.
For though no terrible thing did fear them; yet being scared with beasts that passed by, and hissing of serpents,
Greek · SeptuagintΚαὶ γὰρ εἰ μηδὲν αὐτοὺς ταραχῶδες ἐφόβει, κνωδάλων παρόδοις καὶ ἑρπετῶν συριγμοῖς ἐκσεσοβημένοι,
they died for fear, denying that they saw the air, which could of no side be avoided.
Greek · Septuagintδιώλλυντο ἔντρομοι καὶ τὸν μηδαμόθεν φευκτὸν ἀέρα προσιδεῖν ἀρνούμενοι.
For wickedness, condemned by her own witness, is very timorous, and being pressed with conscience, always forecasteth grievous things.
Greek · SeptuagintΔειλὸν γὰρ ἰδίως πονηρία μαρτυρεῖ καταδικαζομένη, ἀεὶ δὲ προσείληφε τὰ χαλεπὰ συνεχομένη τῇ συνειδήσει.
For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth.
Greek · SeptuagintΟὐθὲν γάρ ἐστι φόβος, εἰ μὴ προδοσία τῶν ἀπὸ λογισμοῦ βοηθημάτων.
And the expectation from within, being less, counteth the ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment.
Greek · SeptuagintἜνδοθεν δὲ οὖσα ἥττων ἡ προσδοκία, πλείονα λογίζεται τὴν ἄγνοιαν τῆς παρεχούσης τὴν βάσανον αἰτίας.