Epistle of Jeremy

Date: 306 B.C.
EpJer1A 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.
EpJer2Because of the sins which ye have committed before God, ye shall be led away captives into
EpJer3Babylon by Nabuchodonosor king of the Babylonians. So when ye be come unto Babylon, ye shall remain there many years, and for a long season, even for seven generations; and after
EpJer4that I will bring you out peaceably from thence. But now shall ye see in Babylon gods of
EpJer5silver, and of gold, and of wood, borne upon shoulders, which cause the nations to fear. Beware therefore that ye in no wise become like unto the strangers, neither let fear take hold upon you because of them, when ye see the multitude before them and behind them, worshipping them.
EpJer6,7But say ye in your hearts, O Lord, we must worship thee. For mine angel is with you, and
EpJer8I myself do care for your souls. For their tongue is polished by the workman, and they
EpJer9themselves are overlaid with gold and 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
EpJer10gods; and sometimes also the priests convey from their gods gold and silver, and bestow it upon
EpJer11themselves; and will even give thereof to the common harlots; and they deck them as men with
EpJer12garments, even the gods of silver, and gods of gold, and of wood. Yet cannot these gods save
EpJer13themselves from rust and moths, though they be covered with putple raiment. They wipe their
EpJer14faces because of the dust of the temple, which is thick upon them. And he that cannot put to death one that offendeth against him holdeth a sceptre, as though he were judge of a country.
EpJer15He hath also a dagger in his right hand, and an axe; but cannot deliver himself from war and
EpJer16,17 robbers 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
EpJer18be set up in the temples their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in. And as the courts 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
EpJer19they be carried off by robbers. They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof
EpJer20so they cannot see one. They are as one of the beams of the temple; and men say their hearts
EpJer21are eaten out, when things creeping out of the earth devour both them and their raiment; they
EpJer22feel it not when their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple; upon
EpJer23their bodies and heads alight bats, swallows, and birds; and in like manner the cats also. Whereby
EpJer24ye may know that they are no gods; therefore fear them not. Notwithstanding the gold wherewith they are beset to make them beautiful except one wipe off the rust, they will not shine; for not even
EpJer25when they were molten did they feel it. Things wherein there is no breath are bought at any cost.
EpJer26 Having no feet, they are borne upon shoulders, whereby they declare unto men that they be
EpJer27nothing 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 aright, can they move of themselves: neither, if they be set awry, can they make themselves straight: but the
EpJer28offerings are set before them, as if they were dead men. And the things that are sacrificed unto them, their priests sell and spend; and in like manner their wives also lay up part thereof
EpJer29in salt; but unto the poor and to the impotent will they give nothing thereof. The menstrous woman and the woman in childbed touch their sacrifices; knowing therefore by these things that
EpJer30they are no gods, fear them not. For how can they be called gods? because women set meat
EpJer31before the gods of silver, gold, and wood. And in their temples the priests sit on seats, having
EpJer32their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads. They roar
EpJer33and cry before their gods, as men do at the feast when one is dead. The priests also take off
EpJer34garments from them, and clothe their wives and children withal. 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,
EpJer35nor put him down. In like manner, they can neither give riches nor money; though a man make
EpJer36a vow unto them, and keep it not, they will never exact it. They can save no man from death,
EpJer37neither deliver the weak from the mighty. They cannot restore a blind man to his sight, nor
EpJer38deliver any that is in distress. They can show no mercy to the widow, nor do good to the
EpJer39fatherless. They are like the stones that be hewn out of the mountain, these gods of wood, and that are overlaid with gold and with silver; they that minister unto them shall be confounded.
EpJer40How should a man then think or say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves
EpJer41dishonour them? Who if they shall see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and intreat
EpJer42him to call upon Bel, as though he were able to understand. Yet they cannot perceive this
EpJer43themselves, and forsake them: for they have no understanding. The women also with cords about them sit in the ways, burning bran for incense; 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,
EpJer44nor her cord broken. Whatsoever is done among them is false; how should a man then think
EpJer45or say that they are gods? They are fashioned by carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing
EpJer46elso than the workmen will have them to be. And they themselves that fashioned them can never
EpJer47continue long; how then should the things that are fashoined by them? For they have left lies
EpJer48 and reproaches to them that come after. For when there cometh any war or plague upon them,
EpJer49the priests consult with themselves, where there may be hidden with them. How then cannot men understand that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from
EpJer50plague? For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver, it shall be
EpJer51known hereafter that they are false; and it shall be manifest to all nations and kings that they
EpJer52are no gods, but the works of men's hands, and that there is no work of God in them. Who
EpJer53then may not know that they are no gods? For neither can they set up a king in a land, nor
EpJer54give rain unto men. Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable;
EpJer55for they are as crows between heaven and earth. For even when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or overlaid with gold or with silver, their priests will flee away, and escape, but
EpJer56they themsleves shall be burnt asunder like beams. Moreover they cannot withstand any king
EpJer57or enemies; how should a man then allow or think that they be gods? Neither are those gods of wood, and overlaid with silver or with gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.
EpJer58 Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong will take
EpJer59from them, and go away withal: neither shall they be able to help themselves. Therefore it is better to be a king that showeth his manhood, or else a vessel in a house profitable for that whereof the owner shall have need, than such false gods; or even a door in a house, to keep the things safe that be therein, than such false gods; or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such
EpJer60false gods. For sun, and moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.
EpJer61Likewise also the lightning when it glittereth is fair to see; and after the same manner the wind
EpJer62also bloweth in every country. And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole
EpJer63world, they do as they are bidden. And the fire sent from above to consume mountains and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are to be likened unto them neither in show nor power.
EpJer64Wherefore a man should neither think nor say that they are gods, seeing they are able neither
EpJer65to judge causes, nor to do good unto men. Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them
EpJer66,67not. For they can neither curse nor bless kings: neither can they show signs in the heavens
EpJer68among the nations, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon. The beasts are better than
EpJer69they: for they can get under a covert, and help themselves. In no wise then is it manifest unto
EpJer70us that they are gods; therefore fear them not. For s a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers that keepeth nothing, so are their gods of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver. Likewise
EpJer71also their gods of wood, and overlaid with gold and with silver, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is cast forth into the dark.
EpJer72And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon them: and they
EpJer73themselves afterward shall be consumed, 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.