Jeremias by his epistle forewarneth the Jews, that they shall be captives in Babylon: and after seventy years shall be released: 3. exhorting them, at that time to avoid idolatry: 7. largely showing the vanity of idols.Ieremie by his epistle forwarneth the Iewes, that they shal be captiues in Babylon: and after seuentie yeares shal be released: 3. exhorting them, at that time to auoid idolatrie: 7. largerly shewing the vanitie of idols.✦
A COPY of the Epistle that Jeremias sent to them that were to be led away captives into Babylon, by the king of Babylon, to tell them according to that which was commanded him of God. For the sins that you have sinned before God, you shall be led away captive into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon.A COPIE of the Epistle that Ieremie sent to them that were ⟦left-margin, lettered note `a` (at 6:1)⟧ a to be led away captiues into Babylon, by the king of Babylon, to tel them according to that which was commanded him of God. ⟦right-margin (at 6:1)⟧ For the sinnes that you haue sinned before God, you shal be led away captiue into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon.<Exemplar epistolæ quam misit Jeremias ad abducendos captivos in Babyloniam a rege Babyloniorum, ut annuntiaret illis secundum quod præceptum est illi a Deo>Propter peccata quæ peccastis ante Deum, abducemini in Babyloniam captivi a Nabuchodonosor rege Babylonis.
2Being entered therefore into Babylon, you shall be there many years, and long times even unto seven generations: and after this I will bring you forth from thence with peace.Being entered therfore into Babylon, you shal be there manie yeares, and long times euen vnto ⟦left-margin, lettered note `b` (at 6:2)⟧ b seuen generations : and after this I wil bring you forth from thence with peace.✦Ingressi itaque in Babylonem, eritis ibi annis plurimis, et temporibus longis, usque ad generationes septem : post hoc autem educam vos inde cum pace.
3But now you shall see in Babylon gods of gold, and of silver, and of stone, and of wood to be carried upon shoulders, showing fear to the Gentiles.But now ⟦right-margin (at 6:3)⟧ you shal see in Babylon goddes of gold, and of siluer, and of stone, and of wood to be caried vpon shoulders, shewing feare to the Gentiles.✦Nunc autem videbitis in Babylonia deos aureos et argenteos, et lapideos et ligneos, in humeris portari, ostentantes metum gentibus.
4Beware therefore lest you also be like to the doing of strangers, and you be afraid, and fear take you in them.Beware therfore lest you also be like to the doing of strangers, and you be afrayd, and feare take you in them.Videte ergo ne et vos similes efficiamini factis alienis, et metuatis, et metus vos capiat in ipsis.
5Seeing therefore the multitude adoring behind, and before, say you in your hearts: Thou oughtest to be adored O Lord.Seeing therfore the multitude adoring behind, and before, say you in your hartes : Thou oughest to be adored ô Lord.Visa itaque turba de retro et ab ante, adorantes dicite in cordibus vestris : Te oportet adorari, Domine.
6For mine Angel is with you: and myself will ask account of your souls.For mine ⟦right-margin, lettered note `c` (at 6:6)⟧ c Angel is with you : and my selfe ⟦right-margin, lettered note `d` (at 6:6)⟧ d wil aske account of your soules.✦Angelus enim meus vobiscum est : ipse autem exquiram animas vestras.
7For their tongue polished by the craftsman, themselves also laid over with gold, and silver are false things, and they cannot speak.For their tongue polished by the craftesman, them selues also layd ouer with gold, and siluer are false thinges, and they can not speake.Nam lingua ipsorum polita a fabro ; ipsa etiam inaurata et inargentata : falsa sunt, et non possunt loqui.
8And as to a virgin that loveth ornaments: so taking gold their gods are forged.And as to a virgin that loueth ornaments : so taking gold their goddes are forged.✦Et sicut virgini amanti ornamenta, ita accepto auro fabricati sunt.
9Their gods certes have golden crowns upon their heads: whereof the priests secretly convey away from them gold, and silver, and bestow it on themselves.Their goddes certes haue golden crownes vpon their heades : wherof the priestes secretely conuey away from them gold, and siluer, and bestow it on them selues.Coronas certe aureas habent super capita sua dii illorum : unde subtrahunt sacerdotes ab eis aurum et argentum, et erogant illud in semetipsos.
10Yea and they give thereof to strumpets, and they deck whores: and again when they receive it of the harlots, they deck their gods.Yea and they geue therof to strumpettes, and they decke whores : and againe when they receiue it of the harlots, they decke their goddes.Dant autem et ex ipso prostitutis, et meretrices ornant : et iterum cum receperint illud a meretricibus, ornant deos suos.
11But these are not delivered from the rust, and the moth.But these are not deliuered from the rust, and the moth.✦Hi autem non liberantur ab ærugine et tinea.
12And these being covered with a purple garment, they wipe their face for the dust of the house, which is very much among them.And these being couered with a purple garment, they wype their face for the dust of the house, which is very much among them.Opertis autem illis veste purpurea, extergunt faciem ipsorum propter pulverem domus qui est plurimus inter eos.
13And he hath a scepter as a man, as a judge of the country, that killeth him not that offendeth against him.And he hath a scepter as a man, as a iudge of the countrie, that killeth him not that offendeth against him.Sceptrum autem habet ut homo, sicut judex regionis, qui in se peccantem non interficit.
14He hath also in his hand a sword, and an axe, but himself he delivereth not from the sword, and from robbers, whereby be it known to you that they are not gods.He hath also in his hand a sword, and an axe, but him selfe he deliuereth not from the sword, and from robbers, wherby be it knowne to you that they are not goddes.Habet etiam in manu gladium et securim, se autem de bello et a latronibus non liberat. Unde vobis notum sit quia non sunt dii :
15Therefore fear them not. For as a man's vessel being broken is made unprofitable: such also are their gods:Therfore feare them not. For as a mans vessel being broken is made vnprofitable : such also are their goddes :non ergo timueritis eos. Sicut enim vas hominis confractum inutile efficitur, tales sunt et dii illorum.
16they being placed in the house, their eyes are full of dust by the feet of them that go in.they being placed in the house, their eies are ful of dust by the feete of them that goe in.Constitutis illis in domo, oculi eorum pleni sunt pulvere a pedibus introëuntium.
17And as upon one, that hath offended the king, the gates be shut round about, or as the dead brought to the grave, so do the priests guard the doors with shuttings, and locks, lest they be spoiled of thieves.And as vpon one, that hath offended the king, the gates be shut round about, or as the dead brought to the graue, so doe the priestes gard the doores with shuttings, and lockes, lest they be spoyled of theeues.Et sicut alicui qui regem offendit circumseptæ sunt januæ, aut sicut ad sepulchrum adductum mortuum : ita tutantur sacerdotes ostia clausuris et seris, ne a latronibus expolientur.
18They light candles to them, and that many, of the which they can see none: but they are as beams in the house.They light candles to them, and that manie, of the which they can see none : but they are as beames in the house.Lucernas accendunt illis, et quidem multas, ex quibus nullam videre possunt : sunt autem sicut trabes in domo.
19And they say that the serpents which are of the earth, gnaw out their hearts, whiles they eat them and their garment, and they feel not.And they say that the serpents which are of the earth, gnaw out their hartes, whiles they eate them and their garment, and they feele not.Corda vero eorum dicunt elingere serpentes qui de terra sunt, dum comedunt eos, et vestimentum ipsorum, et non sentiunt.
20Their faces are black with the smoke, that is made in the house.Their faces are blacke with the smoke, that is made in the house.Nigræ fiunt facies eorum a fumo qui in domo fit.
21The owls, and the swallows fly upon their body, and upon their head, and the birds also, the cats in like manner.The owles, and the swallowes flye vpon their bodie, and vpon their head, and the birdes also, the cattes in like manner.Supra corpus eorum et supra caput eorum volant noctuæ, et hirundines, et aves etiam, similiter et cattæ.
22Whereby you may know that they are not gods. Therefore fear them not.Wherby you may knowe that they are not goddes. Therfore feare them not.Unde sciatis quia non sunt dii : ne ergo timueritis eos.
23The gold also which they have, is for beauty, unless a man wipe off the rust, they shall not shine: for neither when they were molten, did they feel.The gold also which they haue, is for bewtie, vnles a man wype of the rust, they shal not shine : for neither when they were moulten, did they feele.Aurum etiam quod habent ad speciem est : nisi aliquis exterserit æruginem, non fulgebunt : neque enim dum conflarentur, sentiebant.
24With all price are they bought, whereas there is no breath in them.With ⟦right-margin (at 6:24)⟧ al price are they bought, whereas there is no breath in them.✦Ex omni pretio empta sunt, in quibus spiritus non inest ipsis.
25As being without feet they are carried upon shoulders, showing their baseness to men. Be they confounded also that worship them.As ⟦left-margin (at 6:25)⟧ being without feete they are caried vpon shoulders, shewing their basenes to men. Be they confounded also that worship them.Sine pedibus, in humeris portantur, ostentantes ignobilitatem suam hominibus : confundantur etiam qui colunt ea.
26Therefore if they fall to the ground, they rise not up of themselves, nor if a man set him upright, shall he stand by himself, but as to dead men their gifts shall be set before them.Therfore if they fal to the ground, they rise not vp of them selues, nor if a man set him vpright, shal he stand by him self, but as to dead men their giftes shal be set before them.✦Propterea si ceciderint in terram, a semetipsis non consurgunt : neque si quis eum statuerit rectum, per semetipsum stabit : sed sicut mortuis munera eorum illis apponentur.
27Their priests sell their sacrifices, and abuse them: likewise also their wives plucking from them, impart nothing, neither to the sick, nor to the beggar.Their priestes sel their sacrifices, and abuse them : likwise also their wiues plucking from them, impert nothing, neither to the sicke, nor to the begger.Hostias illorum vendunt sacerdotes ipsorum, et abutuntur : similiter et mulieres eorum decerpentes, neque infirmo, neque mendicanti, aliquid impertiunt.
28Of their sacrifices women in childbed, and in menstruatæ: blossoms; the monthly issue do touch: knowing therefore by these things that they are not gods, fear them not.Of their sacrifices wemen in childbed, and in flowers doe touche : knowing therfore by these thinges that they are not goddes, feare them not.De sacrificiis eorum fœtæ et menstruatæ contingunt. Scientes itaque ex his quia non sunt dii, ne timeatis eos.
29For whence are they called gods? Because women offer to the gods of silver, and gold, and wood:For whence are they called goddes? Because wemen offer to the goddes of siluer, and gold, and wood :✦Unde enim vocantur dii ? quia mulieres apponunt diis argenteis, et aureis, et ligneis :
30And priests sit in their houses, having their garments rent, and their heads, and beard shaven, whose heads be bare.And priestes sitte in their houses, hauing their garments rent, and their heades, & beard shauen, whose heades be bare.et in domibus eorum sacerdotes sedent habentes tunicas scissas, et capita et barbam rasam, quorum capita nuda sunt.
31And they were crying before their gods, as at the supper of the dead.And they were crying before their goddes, as at the supper of the dead.✦Rugiunt autem clamantes contra deos suos sicut in cœna mortui.
32The priests take away their garments, and they clothe their wives and their children.The priests take away their garments, and they cloath their wiues & their children.Vestimenta eorum auferunt sacerdotes, et vestiunt uxores suas et filios suos.
33Neither if they suffer any evil, nor if any good of any man, are they able to recompense it: neither can they make a king, nor take him away:Neither if they suffer anie euil, nor if anie good of anie man, are they able to recompence it : neither can they make a king, nor take him away :Neque si quid mali patiuntur ab aliquo, neque si quid boni, poterunt retribuere : neque regem constituere possunt, neque auferre.
34In like manner they can neither give riches, nor require evil. If a man vow a vow unto them, and perform it not; neither this do they require.In like maner they can neither geue riches, nor requyre euil. If a man vow a vow vnto them, and performe it not; neither this doe they require.✦Similiter neque dare divitias possunt, neque malum retribuere. Si quis illis votum voverit et non reddiderit, neque hoc requirunt.
35They deliver not a man from death, nor save the weak from the mightier.They deliuer not a man from death, nor saue the weake from the mightier.Hominem a morte non liberant, neque infirmum a potentiori eripiunt.
36The blind man they restore not to his sight: they shall not deliver a man out of necessity.The blind man they restore not to his sight : they shal not deliuer a man out of necessitie.Hominem cæcum ad visum non restituunt ; de necessitate hominem non liberabunt.
37They shall not pity the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.They shal not pitie the widow, nor doe good to the fatherlesse.Viduæ non miserebuntur, neque orphanis benefacient.
38Like unto the stones of the mountain are their gods, of wood, and of stone, and of gold, and of silver. And they that worship them, shall be confounded:Like vnto the stones of the mountaine are their goddes, of wood, and of stone, and of gold, and of siluer. & they that worship them, shal be confounded :Lapidibus de monte similes sunt dii illorum, lignei, et lapidei, et aurei, et argentei : qui autem colunt ea, confundentur.
39How then is it to be supposed, or to be said, that they are gods?How then is it to be supposed, or to be sayd, that they are goddes?Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut dicendum illos esse deos ?
40Moreover the Chaldees themselves not honouring them: who when they hear that the dumb cannot speak, they offer it to Bel, requesting of him, that it may speak.Moreouer the Chldees themselues not honoring them : who when they heare that the dumme can not speake, they offer it to Bel, requesting of him, that it may speake.Adhuc enim ipsis Chaldæis non honorantibus ea : qui cum audierint mutum non posse loqui, offerunt illud ad Bel, postulantes ab eo loqui :
41As though they could feel that have no motion: and they when they shall understand, will leave them: for their gods themselves have no sense.As though they could feele that haue no motion : and they when they shal vnderstand, wil leaue them : for their goddes them selues haue no sense.quasi possint sentire qui non habent motum ! Et ipsi, cum intellexerint, relinquent ea : sensum enim non habent ipsi dii illorum.
42And women compassed with cords, sit in the ways, burning the bones of olives.And wemen compassed with cordes, sit in the waies, burning the bones of oliues.Mulieres autem circumdatæ funibus in viis sedent, succendentes ossa olivarum :
43And when one of them being drawn of some passenger shall lie with him, she upbraideth her neighbour, that she is not counted worthy, as herself, neither is her cord broken.And when one of them being drawen of some passenger shal lie with him, she vpbraydeth her neighbour, that she is not counted worthie, as her self, neither is her cord broken.cum autem aliqua ex ipsis, attracta ab aliquo transeunte, dormierit cum eo, proximæ suæ exprobrat quod ea non sit digna habita, sicut ipsa, neque funis ejus diruptus sit.
44But all things that are done about them, are false, how is it then to be thought, or to be said, that they be gods?But al thinges that are done about them, are false, how is it then to be thought, or to be sayd, that they be goddes?Omnia autem quæ illis fiunt, falsa sunt : quomodo æstimandum aut dicendum est illos esse deos ?
45And they are made by craftsmen, and by goldsmiths. They shall be nothing else, but that which the priests will have them to be.And they are made by craftesmen, & by goldsmithes. They shal be nothing els, but that which the priestes wil haue them to be.A fabris autem et ab aurificibus facta sunt : nihil aliud erunt, nisi id quod volunt esse sacerdotes.
46For the artificers themselves, that make them, are of no long time. Why, can those things then that are made by them, be gods?For the artificers themselues, that make them, are of no long time. Why, can those thinges then that are made by them, be goddes?Artifices etiam ipsi, qui ea faciunt, non sunt multi temporis : numquid ergo possunt ea, quæ fabricata sunt ab ipsis, esse dii ?
47But they have left forged things and reproach, to them that shall come after.But they haue left forged things & reproch, to them that shal come after.✦Reliquerunt autem falsa et opprobrium postea futuris.
48For when battle cometh upon them, and evils: the priests devise with themselves, where they may hide themselves with them.For when battel commeth vpon them, and euils : the priestes deuise with them selues, where they may hide them selues with them.Nam cum supervenerit illis prælium et mala, cogitant sacerdotes apud se ubi se abscondant cum illis.
49How then may they be thought, that they are gods, which neither deliver themselves from battle, nor save themselves from evils?How then may they be thought, that they are goddes, which neither deliuer them selues from battel, nor saue them selues from euils?Quomodo ergo sentiri debeant quoniam dii sunt, qui nec de bello se liberant, neque de malis se eripiunt ?
50For seeing they be of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, it shall be known afterwards that they are false things, of all the Gentiles, and kings: Which are manifest that they are no gods, but the works of men's hands, and no work of God is with them.For seing they be of wood, & layd ouer with gold, and with siluer, it shal be knowne afterwards that they are false thinges, of al the Gentiles, and kinges : Which are manifest that they are no goddes, but the workes of mens handes, and no worke of God is with them.Nam cum sint lignea, inaurata et inargentata, scietur postea quia falsa sunt ab universis gentibus et regibus : quæ manifesta sunt quia non sunt dii, sed opera manuum hominum, et nullum Dei opus cum illis.
51Whence then is it known, that they are not gods, but the works of men's hands, and no work of God is in them?Whence then is it knowne, that they are not goddes, but the workes of mens handes, & no worke of God is in them?Unde ergo notum est quia non sunt dii, sed opera manuum hominum, et nullum Dei opus in ipsis est.
52A king to the country they raise not up, neither shall they give rain to men.A king to the countrie they raise not vp, neither shal they geue rayne to men.Regem regioni non suscitant, neque pluviam hominibus dabunt.
53Judgement also they shall not discern, neither shall they deliver countries from injury: because they cannot do nothing, as corniculæ: jackdaws, crows between the heaven and the earth.Iudgement also they shal not decerne, neither shal they deliuer countries from iniurie : because they can not do nothing, as choughes betwen the heauen and the earth.✦Judicium quoque non discernent, neque regiones liberabunt ab injuria, quia nihil possunt, sicut corniculæ inter medium cæli et terræ.
54For when fire shall fall into the house of the wooden, and silver, and golden gods, their priests indeed shall flee, and be delivered: but themselves as beams shall be burnt in the midst.For when fire shal fal into the house of the woodden, and siluer, and golden goddes, their priestes in dede shal flee, and be deliuered : but themselues as beames shal be burnt in the middes.Etenim cum inciderit ignis in domum deorum ligneorum, argenteorum et aureorum, sacerdotes quidem ipsorum fugient, et liberabuntur : ipsi vero sicut trabes in medio comburentur.
55And king and battle they shall not resist. How is it then to be supposed, or to be received that they are gods?And king and battel they shal not resist. How is it then to be supposed, or to be receiued that they are goddes?Regi autem et bello non resistent. Quomodo ergo æstimandum est aut recipiendum quia dii sunt ?
56Not from thieves, nor from robbers shall the gods of wood, and of stone, and laid over with gold, and with silver deliver themselves, stronger than which are the wicked men.Not from theeues, nor from robbers shal the goddes of wood, and of stone, and layd ouer with gold, and with siluer deliuer them selues, stronger then which are the wicked men.Non a furibus, neque a latronibus se liberabunt dii lignei, et lapidei, et inaurati, et inargentati : quibus hi qui fortiores sunt,
57The gold, and silver, and the garment where with they are covered, they shall take from them, and shall depart, neither shall they help themselves.The gold, and siluer, and the garment where with they are couered, they shal take from them, and shal depart, neither shal they helpe themselues.aurum et argentum, et vestimentum quo operti sunt, auferent illis, et abibunt, nec sibi auxilium ferent.
58Therefore it is better to be a king showing his strength: or a profitable vessel in the house, wherein he will glory that possesseth it: or a door in the house, which keepeth the things that are therein, than false gods.Therfore it is better to be a king shewing his strength : or a profitable vessel in the house, wherin he wil glorie that possesseth it : or a doore in the house, which kepeth the thinges that are therin, then false goddes.Itaque melius est esse regem ostentantem virtutem suam, aut vas in domo utile, in quo gloriabitur qui possidet illud, vel ostium in domo, quod custodit quæ in ipsa sunt, quam falsi dii.
59The sun certes, and the moon, and the stars whereas they are bright, and sent forth for profitable uses, obey.The sunne certes, and the moone, and the starres wheras they are bright, and sent forth for profitable vses, obey.✦Sol quidem et luna ac sidera, cum sint splendida et emissa ad utilitates, obaudiunt :
60Likewise also the lightning, when it shall appear is perspicuum: perceptive, keen-sighted; clearly visible, evident: and the wind also bloweth the self same in every country.Likewise also the lightning, when it shal appeare is perspicuous : and the winde also bloweth the self same in euerie countrie.similiter et fulgur cum apparuerit, perspicuum est : idipsum autem et spiritus in omni regione spirat :
61And the clouds, which when God shall command to walk throughout the whole world, they do that which is commanded them.And the clowdes, which when God shal command to walke throughout the whole world, they doe that which is commanded them.et nubes, quibus cum imperatum fuerit a Deo perambulare universum orbem, perficiunt quod imperatum est eis :
62The fire also being sent from above to consume mountains, and woods, doeth that which is commanded it. But these neither in shapes, nor in virtues are like to one of them.The fyre also being sent from aboue to consume mountaines, and woodes, doeth that which is commanded it. But these neither in shapes, nor in vertues are like to one of them.✦ignis etiam missus desuper, ut consumat montes et silvas, facit quod præceptum est ei : hæc autem neque speciebus, neque virtutibus, uni eorum similia sunt.
63Wherefore neither is it to be thought, nor to be said, that they be gods: whereas they can neither judge judgment, nor do any thing for men.Wherfore neither is it to be thought, nor to be said, that they be goddes : wheras they can neither iudge iudgment, nor doe anie thing for men.Unde neque existimandum est, neque dicendum illos esse deos, quando non possunt neque judicium judicare, neque quidquam facere hominibus.
64Knowing therefore that they are not gods, then fear them not.Knowing therfore that they are not goddes, then feare them not.Scientes itaque quia non sunt dii, ne ergo timueritis eos.
65For neither shall they curse kings, nor bless them.For neither shal they curse kinges, nor blesse them.Neque enim regibus maledicent, neque benedicent.
66Signs also in the heaven to the Gentiles they show not, neither shall they shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.Signes also in the heauen to the Gentiles they shew not, neither shal they shine as the sunne, nor geue light as the moone.✦Signa etiam in cælo gentibus non ostendunt : neque ut sol lucebunt, neque illuminabunt ut luna.
67Beasts are better than they, which can flee under the roof, and profit themselves.Beastes are better then they, which can flie vnder the roofe, and profite themselues.Bestiæ meliores sunt illis, quæ possunt fugere sub tectum ac prodesse sibi.
68By no means therefore is it manifest unto us, that they are gods: for which cause fear them not.By no meanes therfore is it manifest vnto vs, that they are goddes : for which cause feare them not.Nullo itaque modo nobis est manifestum quia sunt dii : propter quod ne timeatis eos.
69For as in a garden of cucumbers a scarecrow keepeth nothing, so are their gods of wood, and of silver, and laid over with gold.For as in a garden of cucumbers a scarcrow keepeth nothing, so are their goddes of wood, and of siluer, and layd ouer with gold.Nam sicut in cucumerario formido nihil custodit, ita sunt dii illorum lignei, et argentei, et inaurati.
70After the same sort also in a garden the white thorn, upon the which every bird sitteth. In like manner also their gods of wood, and laid over with gold, and with silver, are like to a dead body cast forth in the dark.After the same sorte also in a garden the white thorne, vpon the which euerie bird sitteth. In like manner also their goddes of wood, and layd ouer with gold, and with siluer, are like to a dead bodie cast forth in the darke.Eodem modo et in horto spina alba, supra quam omnis avis sedet, similiter et mortuo projecto in tenebris, similes sunt dii illorum lignei, et inaurati, et inargentati.
71By the purple also and the murice: the shellfish yielding the purple dye colour laid upon them, which fadeth, you shall know that they are not gods. At the last also they are consumed, and shall be a reproach in the country.By the purple also and the murex colour layde vpon them, which fadeth, you shal know that they are not goddes. At the last also they are consumed, and shal be a reproch in the countrie.✦A purpura quoque et murice, quæ supra illos tineant, scietis itaque quia non sunt dii : ipsi etiam postremo comeduntur, et erunt opprobrium in regione.
72Better is therefore the just man, that hath not idols: for he shall be far from reproaches.Better is therfore the iust man, that hath not Idols : for he shal be farre from reproches.✦Melior est homo justus qui non habet simulacra, nam erit longe ab opprobriis.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.