Epistle of Jeremy

1:1 A copy of an Epistle which Ieremie sent vnto them which were to be led captiues into Babylon, by the king of the Babylonians, to certifie them as it was commanded him of God.

1:1 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.

1:2 Because of ye sinnes which ye haue committed before God, ye shall be led away captiues vnto Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.

1:2 Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives into Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians.

1:3 So when ye be come vnto Babylon, ye shal remaine there many yeeres, and for a long season, namely seuen generations: and after that I will bring you away peaceably from thence.

1:3 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.

1:4 Now shal ye see in Babylon gods of siluer, and of gold, and of wood, borne vpon shoulders, which cause the nations to feare.

1:4 Now shall ye see in Babylon gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear.

1:5 Beware therefore that yee in no wise be like to strangers, neither be yee afraid of them, when yee see the multitude before them, and behinde them, worshipping them.

1:5 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.

1:6 But say yee in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee.

1:6 But say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee.

1:7 For mine Angel is with you, and I my selfe caring for your soules.

1:7 For mine angel is with you, and I myself caring for your souls.

1:8 As for their tongue, it is polished by the workeman, and they themselues are guilded and laid ouer with siluer, yet are they but false and cannot speake.

1:8 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.

1:9 And taking golde, as it were for a virgine that loues to go gay, they make crownes for the heads of their gods.

1:9 And taking gold, as it were for a virgin that loveth to go gay, they make crowns for the heads of their gods.

1:10 Sometimes also the Priests conuey from their gods golde and siluer, and bestow it vpon themselues.

1:10 Sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon themselves.

1:11 Yea they will giue thereof to the common harlots, and decke them as men with garments [being] gods of siluer, and gods of gold, and wood.

1:11 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.

1:12 Yet cannot these gods saue themselues from rust and moths, though they be couered with purple raiment.

1:12 Yet cannot these gods save themselves from rust and moth, though they be covered with purple raiment.

1:13 They wipe their faces because of the dust of the Temple, when there is much vpon them.

1:13 They wipe their faces because of the dust of the temple, when there is much upon them.

1:14 And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth him, holdeth a scepter as though hee were a iudge of the countrey.

1:14 And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth him holdeth a sceptre, as though he were a judge of the country.

1:15 Hee hath also in his right hand a dagger, and an axe: but cannot deliuer himselfe from warre and theeues.

1:15 He hath also in his right hand a dagger and an ax: but cannot deliver himself from war and thieves.

1:16 Whereby they are knowen not to bee gods, therefore feare them not.

1:16 Whereby they are known not to be gods: therefore fear them not.

1:17 For like as a vessell that a man vseth, is nothing worth when it is broken: euen so it is with their gods: when they be set vp in the Temple, their eyes be full of dust, thorow the feet of them that come in.

1:17 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.

1:18 And as the doores are made sure on euery side, vpon him that offendeth the king, as being committed to suffer death: euen so the priests make fast their temples, with doores, with lockes and barres, lest their gods bee spoiled with robbers.

1:18 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.

1:19 They light them candles, yea, more then for themselues, whereof they cannot see one.

1:19 They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof they cannot see one.

1:20 They are as one of the beames of the temple, yet they say, their hearts are gnawed vpon by things creeping out of the earth, & when they eate them and their clothes, they feele it not.

1:20 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.

1:21 Their faces are blacked, thorow the smoke that comes out of the temple.

1:21 Their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple.

1:22 Upon their bodies and heads, sit battes, swallowes, and birds, and the cats also.

1:22 Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also.

1:23 By this you may know that they are no gods: therefore feare them not.

1:23 By this ye may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.

1:24 Notwithstanding the gold that is about them, to make them beautifull, except they wipe off the rust they will not shine: for neither when they were molten did they feele it.

1:24 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.

1:25 The things wherein there is no breath, are bought for a most hie price.

1:25 The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price.

1:26 They are borne vpon shoulders, hauing no feete, whereby they declare vnto men that they be nothing worth.

1:26 They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth.

1:27 They also that serue them, are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they cannot rise vp againe of themselues: neither if one set them upright can they moue of themselues: neither if they be bowed downe, can they make themselues streight: but they set gifts before them as vnto dead men.

1:27 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.

1:28 As for the things that are sacrificed vnto them, their priests sell and abuse: in like maner their wiues lay vp part thereof in salt: but vnto the poore and impotent, they giue nothing of it.

1:28 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.

1:29 Menstruous women, and women in childbed eate their sacrifices: by these things ye may know that they are no gods: feare them not.

1:29 Menstruous women and women in childbed eat their sacrifices: by these things ye may know that they are no gods: fear them not.

1:30 For how can they be called gods? Because women set meate before the gods of siluer, gold, and wood.

1:30 For how can they be called gods? because women set meat before the gods of silver, gold, and wood.

1:31 And the priests sit in their temples, hauing their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shauen, and nothing vpon their heads.

1:31 And the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.

1:32 They roare and crie before their gods: as men doe at the feast when one is dead.

1:32 They roar and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead.

1:33 The priestes also take off their garments, and clothe their wiues and children.

1:33 The priests also take off their garments, and clothe their wives and children.

1:34 Whether it be euill that one doth vnto them, or good: they are not able to recompense it: they can neither set vp a king, nor put him downe.

1:34 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.

1:35 In like maner, they can neither giue riches nor money: though a man make a vowe vnto them, and keepe it not, they will not require it.

1:35 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.

1:36 They can saue no man from death, neither deliuer the weake from the mightie.

1:36 They can save no man from death, neither deliver the weak from the mighty.

1:37 They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor helpe any man in his distresse.

1:37 They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor help any man in his distress.

1:38 They can shew no mercie to the widow: nor doe good to the fatherlesse.

1:38 They can shew no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.

1:39 Their gods of wood, and which are ouerlaid with gold, and siluer, are like the stones that be hewen out of the mountaine: they that worship them shall be confounded.

1:39 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.

1:40 How should a man then thinke and say that they are gods? When euen the Chaldeans theselues dishonor them.

1:40 How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them?

1:41 Who if they shall see one dumbe that cannot speake, they bring him and intreate Bel that he may speake, as though he were able to vnderstand.

1:41 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.

1:42 Yet they cannot vnderstand this themselues, and leaue them: for they haue no knowledge.

1:42 Yet they cannot understand this themselves, and leave them: for they have no knowledge.

1:43 The women also with cordes aboue them, sitting in the wayes, burne branne for perfume: but if any of them drawen by some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth her fellow that she was not thought as worthy as her selfe, nor her cord broken.

1:43 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.

1:44 Whatsoeuer is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?

1:44 Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?

1:45 They are made of carpenters, and goldsmiths, they can be nothing else, then the workman will haue them to be.

1:45 They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else than the workmen will have them to be.

1:46 And they themselues that made them, can neuer continue long, how should then the things that are made of them, be gods?

1:46 And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods?

1:47 For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.

1:47 For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.

1:48 For when there commeth any warre or plague vpon them, the priests consult with themselues, where they may be hidden with them.

1:48 For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.

1:49 How then cannot men perceiue, that they be no gods, which can neither saue themselues from warre nor from plague?

1:49 How then cannot men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?

1:50 For seeing they be but of wood, and ouerlaide with siluer and gold: it shall be knowen heereafter that they are false.

1:50 For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false:

1:51 And it shall manifestly appeare to all nations and kings, that they are no gods: but the workes of mens hands, and that there is no worke of God in them.

1:51 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.

1:52 Who then may not know that they are no gods?

1:52 Who then may not know that they are no gods?

1:53 For neither can they set vp a king in the land, nor giue raine vnto men.

1:53 For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain unto men.

1:54 Neither can they iudge their owne cause, nor redresse a wrong being vnable: for they are as crowes between heauen and earth.

1:54 Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth.

1:55 Whereupon when fire falleth vpon the house of gods of wood, or layd ouer with gold or siluer, their priests will fly away, & escape: but they themselues shall be burnt asunder like beames.

1:55 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.

1:56 Moreouer they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?

1:56 Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?

1:57 Neither are those gods of wood, and layd ouer with siluer or gold able to escape either from theeues or robbers.

1:57 Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.

1:58 Whose gold, and siluer, and garments wherwith they are clothed, they that are strong doe take, and goe away withall: neither are they able to helpe themselues.

1:58 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.

1:59 Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power, or else a profitable vessell in an house, which the owner shall haue vse of, then such false gods: or to be a doore in an house to keepe such things safe as be therein, then such false gods: or a pillar of wood in a palace, then such false gods.

1:59 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 a palace, than such false gods.

1:60 For Sunne, Moone, and starres, being bright and sent to doe their offices, are obedient.

1:60 For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.

1:61 In like maner the lightning when it breaketh forth is easie to bee seene, and after the same maner the wind bloweth in euery country.

1:61 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.

1:62 And when God commandeth the clouds to goe ouer the whole world: they doe as they are bidden:

1:62 And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.

1:63 And the fire sent from aboue to consume hilles and woods, doth as it is commanded: but these are like vnto them neither in shew, nor power.

1:63 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.

1:64 Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said, that they are gods, seeing they are able, neither to iudge causes, nor to doe good vnto men.

1:64 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.

1:65 Knowing therefore that they are no gods, feare them not.

1:65 Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not,

1:66 For they can neither curse nor blesse kings.

1:66 For they can neither curse nor bless kings:

1:67 Neither can they signes in the heauens among the heathen: nor shine as the Sunne, nor giue light as the Moone.

1:67 Neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.

1:68 The beasts are better then they: for they can get vnder a couert, and helpe themselues.

1:68 The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves.

1:69 It is then by no meanes manifest vnto vs that they are gods: therefore feare them not.

1:69 It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.

1:70 For as a scarcrow in a garden of Cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid ouer with siluer and gold.

1:70 For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold.

1:71 And likewise their gods of wood, and laid ouer with siluer and gold, are like to a white thorne in an orchard that euery bird sitteth vpon: as also to a dead body, that is cast into the darke.

1:71 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.

1:72 And you shall know them to be no gods, by the bright purple that rotteth vpon them: and they themselues afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country.

1:72 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.

1:73 Better therefore is the iust man that hath none idoles: for he shall be farre from reproach.

1:73 Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach.