by Septuagint
[28] 29 [30] 31 And it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year after that Joakim king of Juda had been carried away captive, in the twelfth month, on the four and twentieth day of the month, that Ulaemadachar king of Babylon, in the year in which he began to reign, raised the head of Joakim king of Juda, and shaved him, and brought him out of the house where he was kept, [32] and spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the kings that were with him in Babylon, [33] and changed his prison garments: and he ate bread continually before him all the days that he lived. [34] And his appointed portion was given him continually by the king of Babylon from day to day, until the day when he died.
Letter of Jeremiah
[1] 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. [2] Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians. [3] 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. [4] Now shall ye see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear. [5] 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. [6] But say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee. [7] For mine angel is with you, and I myself caring for your souls. [8] 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. [9] And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loveth to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods. [10] Sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves. [11] 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. [12] Yet cannot these gods save themselves from rust and moth, though they be covered with purple raiment. [13] They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, when there is much upon them. [14] And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth him holdeth a scepter, as though he were a judge of the country. [15] He hath also in his right hand a dagger and an axe: but cannot deliver himself from war and thieves. [16] Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not. [17] 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. [18] 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. [19] They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof they cannot see one. [20] 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. [21] Their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple. [22] Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also. [23] By this ye may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not. [24] 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. [25] The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price. [26] They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth. [27] 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. [28] 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. [29] Menstruous women and women in childbed eat their sacrifices: by these things ye may know that they are no gods: fear them not. [30] For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood. [31] And the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads. [32] They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead. [33] The priests also take off their garments, and clothe their wives and children. [34] 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. [35] 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. [36] They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty. [37] They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress. [38] They can shew no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless. [39] 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. [40] How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them? [41] 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. [42] Yet they cannot understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge. [43] 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. [44] Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods? [45] They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be. [46] And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods? [47] For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after. [48] For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them. [49] How then cannot men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague? [50] For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false: [51] 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. [52] Who then may not know that they are no gods? [53] For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain unto men. [54] Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth. [55] 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. [56] Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods? [57] Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers. [58] 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. [59] 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 palace, than such false gods. [60] For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient. [61] 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. [62] And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden. [63] 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. [64] Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing, they are able neither t
o judge causes, nor to do good unto men. [65] Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not, [66] For they can neither curse nor bless kings: [67] Neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon. [68] The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves. [69] It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not. [70] For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold. [71] 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. [72] 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. [73] Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach.
Lamentations
Chapter 1
And it came to pass, after Israel was taken captive, and Jerusalem made desolate, that Jeremias sat weeping, and lamented with this lamentation over Jerusalem, and said,
[1] ALEPH. How does the city that was filled with people sit solitary! she is become as a widow: she that was magnified among the nations, and princess among the provinces, has become tributary.
[2] BETH. She weeps sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; and there is none of all her lovers to comfort her: all that were her friends have dealt deceitfully with her, they are become her enemies.
[3] GIMEL. Judea is gone into captivity by reason of her affliction, and by reason of the abundance of her servitude: she dwells among the nations, she has not found rest: all her pursuers have overtaken her between her oppressors.
[4] DALETH. The ways of Sion mourn, because there are none that come to the feast: all her gates are ruined: her priests groan, her virgins are led captive, and she is in bitterness in herself.
[5] HE. Her oppressors are become the head, and her enemies have prospered; for the Lord has afflicted her because of the multitude of her sins: her young children are gone into captivity before the face of the oppressor.
[6] VAU. And all her beauty has been taken away from the daughter of Sion: her princes were as rams finding no pasture, and are gone away in weakness before the face of the pursuer.
[7] ZAIN. Jerusalem remembered the days of her affliction, and her rejection; she thought on all her desirable things which were from the days of old, when her people fell into the hands of the oppressor, and there was none to help her: when her enemies saw it they laughed at her habitation.
[8] HETH. Jerusalem has sinned a great sin; therefore has she come into tribulation, all that used to honour her have afflicted her, for they have seen her shame: yea, she herself groaned, and turned backward.
[9] TETH. Her uncleanness is before her feet; she remembered not her last end; she has lowered her boasting tone, there is none to comfort her. Behold, O Lord, my affliction: for the enemy has magnified himself.
[10] JOD. The oppressor has stretched out his hand on all her desirable things: for she has seen the Gentiles entering into her sanctuary, concerning whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation.
[11] CHAPH. All her people groan, seeking bread: they have given their desirable things for meat, to restore their soul: behold, Lord, and look; for she is become dishonoured.
[12] LAMED. All ye that pass by the way, turn, and see if there is sorrow like to my sorrow, which has happened to me. The Lord who spoke by me has afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.
[13] MEM. He has sent fire from his lofty habitation, he has brought it into my bones: he has spread a net for my feet, he has turned me back: he has made me desolate and mourning all the day.
[14] NUN. He has watched over my sins, they are twined about my hands, they have come up on my neck: my strength has failed; for the Lord has laid pains on my hands, I shall not be able to stand.
[15] SAMECH. The Lord has cut off all my strong men from the midst of me: he has summoned against me a time for crushing my choice men: the Lord has trodden a wine-press for the virgin daughter of Juda: for these things I weep.
[16] AIN. Mine eye has poured out water, because he that should comfort me, that should restore my soul, has been removed far from me: my sons have been destroyed, because the enemy has prevailed.
[17] PHE. Sion has spread out her hand, and there is none to comfort her: the Lord has commanded concerning Jacob, his oppressors are round about him: Jerusalem has become among them as a removed woman.
[18] TSADE. The Lord is righteous; for I have provoked his mouth: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my grief: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.
[19] KOPH. I called my lovers, but they deceived me: my priests and my elders failed in the city; for they sought meat that they might restore their souls, and found it not.
[20] RHECHS. Behold, O Lord; for I am afflicted: my belly is troubled, and my heart is turned within me; for I have been grievously rebellious: abroad the sword has bereaved me, even as death at home.
[21] CHSEN. Hear, I pray you, for I groan: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of mine afflictions, and rejoice because thou hast done it: thou hast brought on the day, thou hast called the time: they are become like to me.
[22] THAU. Let all their wickedness come before thy face; and strip them, as they have made a gleaning for all my sins: for my groans are many, and my heart is grieved.
Chapter 2
[1] ALEPH. How has the Lord darkened in his wrath the daughter of Sion! he has cast down the glory of Israel from heaven to earth, and has not remembered his footstool.
[2] BETH. In the day of his wrath the Lord has overwhelmed her as in the sea, and not spared: he has brought down in his fury all the beautiful things of Jacob; he has brought down to the ground the strong-holds of the daughter of Juda; he has profaned her kings and her princes.
[3] GIMEL. He has broken in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he has turned back his right hand from the face of the enemy, and has kindled a flame in Jacob as a fire, and it has devoured all things round about.
[4] DALETH. He has bent his bow as an opposing enemy: he has strengthened his right hand as an adversary, and has destroyed all the desirable things of my eyes in the tabernacle of the daughter of Sion: he has poured forth his anger as fire.
[5] HE. The Lord is become as an enemy: he has overwhelmed Israel as in the sea, he has overwhelmed her palaces: he has destroyed her strong-holds, and has multiplied the afflicted and humbled ones to the daughter of Juda.
[6] VAU. And he has scattered his tabernacle as a vine, he has marred his feast: the Lord has forgotten the feast and the sabbath which he appointed in Sion, and in the fury of his wrath has vexed the king, and priest, and prince.
[7] ZAIN. The Lord has rejected his altar, he has cast off his sanctuary, he has broken by the hand of the enemy the wall of her palaces; they have uttered their voice in the house of the Lord as on a feast day.
[8] HETH. And he has turned to destroy the wall of the daughter of Sion: he has stretched out the measuring line, he has not turned back his hand from afflicting her: therefore the bulwark mourned, and the wall was weakened with it.
[9] TETH. Her gates are sunk into the ground: he has destroyed and broken to pieces her bars, and her king and her prince among the Gentiles: there is no law, nay, her prophets have seen no vision from the Lord.
[10] JOD. The elders of the daughter of Sion have sat upon the ground, they have kept silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloths: they have brought down to the ground the chief virgins in Jerusalem.
[11] CHAPH. Mine eyes have failed with tears, my heart is troubled, my glory is cast down to the ground, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; while the infant and suckling swoon in the streets of the city.
[12] LAMED. They said
to their mothers, Where is corn and wine? while they fainted like wounded men in the streets of the city, while their souls were poured out into their mother’s bosom.
[13] MEM. What shall I testify to thee, or what shall I compare to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? who shall save and comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Sion? for the cup of thy destruction is enlarged: who shall heal thee?
[14] NUN. Thy prophets have seen for thee vanities and folly: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn back thy captivity; but they have seen for thee vain burdens, and worthless visions.
[15] SAMECH. All that go by the way have clapped their hands at thee; they have hissed and shaken their head at the daughter of Jerusalem. Is this the city, they say, the crown of joy of all the earth?
[16] AIN. All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they have hissed and gnashed their teeth, and said, We have swallowed her up: moreover this is the day which we looked for; we have found it, we have seen it.
[17] PHE. The Lord has done that which he purposed; he has accomplished his word, even the things which he commanded from the ancient days: he has thrown down, and has not spared: and he has caused the enemy to rejoice over thee, he has exalted the horn of him that afflicted thee.
[18] TSADE. Their heart cried to the Lord, Ye walls of Sion, pour down tears like torrents day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eyes cease.
[19] KOPH. Arise, rejoice in the night at the beginning of thy watch: pour out thy heart as water before the face of the Lord lift up thy hands to him for the life of thine infants, who faint for hunger at the top of all the streets.