The Book of Baruch

⭑ World English Bible Catholic :: King James Version ⭑

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- Chapter 6 -

The epistle of Jeremias to the captives, as a preservative against idolatry.

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.

A copy of a letter that Jeremy sent to those who were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to give them the message that God commanded him.

Because of the sins which you have committed before God, you will be led away captives to Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.

So when you come to Babylon, you will remain there many years, and for a long season, even for seven generations. After that, I will bring you out peacefully from there.

But now you will see in Babylon gods of silver, gold, wood carried on shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.

Beware therefore that you in no way become like these foreigners. Don’t let fear take hold of you because of them when you see the multitude before them and behind them, worshiping them.

But say in your hearts, “O Lord, we must worship you.”

For my angel is with you, and I myself care for your souls.

For their tongue is polished by the workman, and they themselves are overlaid with gold and with silver; yet they are only fake, and can’t speak.

And taking gold, as if it were for a virgin who loves to be happy, they make crowns for the heads of their gods.

Sometimes also the priests take gold and silver from their gods, and spend it on themselves.

They will even give some of it to the common prostitutes. They dress them like men with garments, even the gods of silver, gods of gold, and gods of wood.

Yet these gods can’t save themselves from rust and moths, even though they are covered with purple garments.

They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, which is thick upon them.

And he who can’t put to death one who offends against him holds a sceptre, as though he were judge of a country.

He has also a dagger in his right hand, and an axe, but can’t deliver himself from war and robbers.

By this they are known not to be gods. Therefore don’t fear them.

For like a vessel that a man uses is worth nothing when it is broken, even so it is with their gods. When they are set up in the temples, their eyes are full of dust through the feet of those who come in.

As the courts are secured on every side upon him who offends the king, as being committed to suffer death, even so the priests secure their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest they be carried off by robbers.

They light candles for them, yes, more than for themselves, even though they can’t see one.

They are like one of the beams of the temple. Men say their hearts are eaten out when things creeping out of the earth devour both them and their clothing. They don’t feel it

when their faces are blackened through the smoke that comes out of the temple.

Bats, swallows, and birds land on their bodies and heads. So do the cats.

By this you may know that they are no gods. Therefore don’t fear them.

Notwithstanding the gold with which they are covered to make them beautiful, unless someone wipes off the tarnish, they won’t shine; for they didn’t even feel it when they were molten.

Things in which there is no breath are bought at any cost.

Having no feet, they are carried upon shoulders. By this, they declare to men that they are worth nothing.

Those who serve them are also ashamed, for if they fall to the ground at any time, they can’t rise up again by themselves. If they are bowed down, they can’t make themselves straight; but the offerings are set before them, as if they were dead men.

And the things that are sacrificed to them, their priests sell and spend. In like manner, their wives also lay up part of it in salt; but to the poor and to the impotent they give none of it.

The menstruous woman and the woman in childbed touch their sacrifices, knowing therefore by these things that they are no gods. Don’t fear them.

For how can they be called gods? Because women set food before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.

And in their temples the priests sit on seats, having their clothes torn and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing on their heads.

They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.

The priests also take off garments from them and clothe their wives and children with them.

Whether it is evil or good what one does to them, they are not able to repay it. They can’t set up a king or put him down.

In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money. Though a man make a vow to them and doesn’t keep it, they will never exact it.

They can save no man from death. They can’t deliver the weak from the mighty.

They can’t restore a blind man to his sight, or deliver anyone who is in distress.

They can show no mercy to the widow, or do good to the fatherless.

They are like the stones that are cut out of the mountain, these gods of wood that are overlaid with gold and with silver. Those who minister to them will be confounded.

How could a man then think or say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them?

If they shall see one mute who can’t speak, they bring him and ask him to call upon Bel, as though he were able to understand.

Yet they can’t perceive this themselves, and forsake them; for they have no understanding.

The women also with cords around them sit in the ways, burning bran for incense; but if any of them, drawn by someone who passes by, lies with him, she reproaches her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself and her cord wasn’t broken.

Whatever is done among them is false. How could a man then think or say that they are gods?

They are fashioned by carpenters and goldsmiths. They can be nothing else than what the workmen make them to be.

And they themselves who fashioned them can never continue long. How then should the things that are fashioned by them?

For they have left lies and reproaches to those who come after.

For when there comes any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.

How then can’t men understand that they are no gods, which can’t save themselves from war or from plague?

For seeing they are only wood and overlaid with gold and silver, it will be known hereafter that they are false.

It will be manifest to all nations and kings that they are no gods, but the works of men’s hands, and that there is no work of God in them.

Who then may not know that they are not gods?

For they can’t set up a king in a land or give rain to men.

They can’t judge their own cause, or redress a wrong, being unable; for they are like crows between heaven and earth.

For even when fire falls upon the house of gods of wood overlaid with gold or with silver, their priests will flee away, and escape, but they themselves will be burned apart like beams.

Moreover they can’t withstand any king or enemies. How could a man then admit or think that they are gods?

Those gods of wood overlaid with silver or with gold aren’t able to escape from thieves or robbers.

The gold, silver, and garments with which they are clothed—those who are strong will take from them, and go away with them. They won’t be able to help themselves.

Therefore it is better to be a king who shows his manhood, or else a vessel in a house profitable for whatever the owner needs, than such false gods—or even a door in a house, to keep the things safe that are in it, than such false gods; or better to be a pillar of wood in a palace than such false gods.

For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their jobs, are obedient.

Likewise also the lightning when it flashes is beautiful to see. In the same way, the wind also blows in every country.

And when God commands the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are told.

And the fire sent from above to consume mountains and woods does as it is commanded; but these are to be compared to them neither in show nor power.

Therefore a man shouldn’t think or say that they are gods, seeing they aren’t able to judge causes or to do good to men.

Knowing therefore that they are no gods, don’t fear them.

For they can neither curse nor bless kings.

They can’t show signs in the heavens among the nations, or shine as the sun, or give light as the moon.

The beasts are better than they; for they can get under a covert, and help themselves.

In no way then is it manifest to us that they are gods. Therefore don’t fear them.

For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers that keeps nothing, so are their gods of wood overlaid with gold and silver.

Likewise also their gods of wood overlaid with gold and with silver, are like a white thorn in an orchard that every bird sits upon. They are also like a dead body that is thrown out into the dark.

You will know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rots upon them. They themselves will be consumed afterwards, and will be a reproach in the country.

Better therefore is the just man who has no idols; for he will be far from reproach.

The epistle of Jeremias to the captives, as a preservative against idolatry.

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.

A copy of an epistle, which Jeremy sent unto them which were to be led captives into Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to certify them, as it was commanded him of God.

Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.

So when ye be come unto Babylon, ye shall remain there many years, and for a long season, namely, seven generations: and after that I will bring you away peaceably from thence.

Now shall ye see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.

Beware therefore that ye in no wise be like to strangers, neither be ye and of them, when ye see the multitude before them and behind them, worshipping them.

But say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee.

For mine angel is with you, and I myself caring for your souls.

As for their tongue, it is polished by the workman, and they themselves are gilded and laid over with silver; yet are they but false, and cannot speak.

And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loveth to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods.

Sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves.

Yea, they will give thereof to the common harlots, and deck them as men with garments, being gods of silver, and gods of gold, and wood.

Yet cannot these gods save themselves from rust and moth, though they be covered with purple raiment.

They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, when there is much upon them.

And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth him holdeth a sceptre, as though he were a judge of the country.

He hath also in his right hand a dagger and an axe: but cannot deliver himself from war and thieves.

Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.

For like as a vessel that a man useth is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their gods: when they be set up in the temple, their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in.

And as the doors are made sure on every side upon him that offendeth the king, as being committed to suffer death: even so the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest their gods be spoiled with robbers.

They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof they cannot see one.

They are as one of the beams of the temple, yet they say their hearts are gnawed upon by things creeping out of the earth; and when they eat them and their clothes, they feel it not.

Their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple.

Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also.

By this ye may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.

Notwithstanding the gold that is about them to make them beautiful, except they wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten did they feel it.

The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price.

They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth.

They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they cannot rise up again of themselves: neither, if one set them upright, can they move of themselves: neither, if they be bowed down, can they make themselves straight: but they set gifts before them as unto dead men.

As for the things that are sacrificed unto them, their priests sell and abuse; in like manner their wives lay up part thereof in salt; but unto the poor and impotent they give nothing of it.

Menstruous women and women in childbed eat their sacrifices: by these things ye may know that they are no gods: fear them not.

For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.

And the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.

They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.

The priests also take off their garments, and clothe their wives and children.

Whether it be evil that one doeth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set up a king, nor put him down.

In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money: though a man make a vow unto them, and keep it not, they will not require it.

They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.

They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress.

They can shew no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.

Their gods of wood, and which are overlaid with gold and silver, are like the stones that be hewn out of the mountain: they that worship them shall be confounded.

How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them?

Who if they shall see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and intreat Bel that he may speak, as though he were able to understand.

Yet they cannot understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge.

The women also with cords about them, sitting in the ways, burn bran for perfume: but if any of them, drawn by some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.

Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?

They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.

And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods?

For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.

For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.

How then cannot men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?

For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:

And it shall manifestly appear to all nations and kings that they are no gods, but the works of men’s hands, and that there is no work of God in them.

Who then may not know that they are no gods?

For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain unto men.

Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.

Whereupon when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or laid over with gold or silver, their priests will flee away, and escape; but they themselves shall be burned asunder like beams.

Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?

Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.

Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong take, and go away withal: neither are they able to help themselves.

Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power, or else a profitable vessel in an house, which the owner shall have use of, than such false gods; or to be a door in an house, to keep such things therein, than such false gods. or a pillar of wood in a a palace, than such false gods.

For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.

In like manner the lightning when it breaketh forth is easy to be seen; and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country.

And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.

And the fire sent from above to consume hills and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are like unto them neither in shew nor power.

Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing, they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men.

Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not,

For they can neither curse nor bless kings:

Neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.

The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves.

It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.

For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold.

And likewise their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is east into the dark.

And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon them: and they themselves afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country.

Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach.