Wisdom of Solomon 15
Commentary from 4 fathers
For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will not sin, knowing that we are counted thine.
καὶ γὰρ ἐὰν ἁμάρτωμεν, σοί ἐσμεν, εἰδότες σου τὸ κράτος· οὐχ ἁμαρτησόμεθα δέ, εἰδότες ὅτι σοὶ λελογίσμεθα.
И҆́бо а҆́ще согрѣши́мъ, твоѝ є҆смы̀, вѣ́дꙋще держа́вꙋ твою̀: и҆ а҆́ще не согрѣши́мъ, вѣ́мы, ꙗ҆́кѡ тебѣ̀ вмѣни́хомсѧ.
For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality.
τὸ γὰρ ἐπίστασθαί σε ὁλόκληρος δικαιοσύνη, καὶ εἰδέναι τὸ κράτος σου ῥίζα ἀθανασίας.
Є҆́же бо зна́ти тебѐ, всесоверше́на (є҆́сть) пра́вда, и҆ вѣ́дѣти держа́вꙋ твою̀, ко́рень є҆́сть безсме́ртїѧ.
For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter’s fruitless labour;
οὔτε γὰρ ἐπλάνησεν ἡμᾶς ἀνθρώπων κακότεχνος ἐπίνοια, οὐδὲ σκιαγράφων πόνος ἄκαρπος, εἶδος σπιλωθὲν χρώμασι διηλλαγμένοις,
Ниже́ бо прельстѝ на́съ человѣ́ческое ѕлохи́трое ᲂу҆мышле́нїе, нижѐ сѣннопи́саныхъ трꙋ́дъ безпло́дный, ви́дъ и҆зва́ѧнъ разли́чными ша̑ры,
The sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so they desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath.
ὧν ὄψις ἄφροσιν εἰς ὄνειδος ἔρχεται, ποθεῖ τε νεκρᾶς εἰκόνος εἶδος ἄπνουν.
и҆́хже зра́къ безꙋ̑мнымъ прихо́дитъ въ похотѣ́нїе, и҆ лю́бѧтъ ме́ртвагѡ ѡ҆́браза ви́дъ бездꙋ́шный.
Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they that worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to have such things to trust upon.
κακῶν ἐρασταὶ ἄξιοί τε τοιούτων ἐλπίδων, καὶ οἱ δρῶντες καὶ οἱ ποθοῦντες καὶ οἱ σεβόμενοι.
Ѕлы́хъ люби́телїе досто́йнїи таковы́хъ наде́ждъ и҆ творѧ́щїи, и҆ лю́бѧщїи, и҆ чествꙋ́ющїи.
Not only those who fabricate idols are criminals and traitors, but also those who love and worship them, putting their hope in them, since not only those who do evil deserve death but also those who agree with them. The psalmist shows the condition of those who put their hope in idols, “The idols of the nations are of silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths and do not speak, eyes and do not see, ears and do not hear, noses and do not smell. They have hands and do not feel, feet and do not walk. No sounds issue from their throats. Those who make them and trust in them will be like them.” Indeed, with wicked hands a mortal shapes something dead, and a fool worships what is beyond foolish. Speaking allegorically, this treats first of heretics, who devise and give shape to perverse opinions, while those who love and worship them are their followers and disciples. And all of them are condemned and destined to be lost. In fact, “they will all be amazed and confused together.” “The Lord will disperse the one who has acted thusly, the master and his disciple.” “Woe to the godless! He will be repaid according to the misdeeds of his hands.”
On Ecclesiasticus 3:5
For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel with much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise also all such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of either sort, the potter himself is the judge.
Καὶ γὰρ κεραμεὺς ἁπαλὴν γῆν θλίβων ἐπίμοχθον πλάσσει πρὸς ὑπηρεσίαν ἡμῶν ἓν ἕκαστον· ἀλλ᾿ ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ πηλοῦ ἀνεπλάσατο τά τε τῶν καθαρῶν ἔργων δοῦλα σκεύη τά τε ἐναντία, πάνθ᾿ ὁμοίως· τούτων δὲ ἑκατέρου τίς ἑκάστῳ ἐστὶν ἡ χρῆσις, κριτὴς ὁ πηλουργός·
И҆́бо скꙋде́льникъ, мѧ́гкꙋю зе́млю мнꙋ́щь со трꙋдо́мъ, дѣ́лаетъ ко слꙋже́нїю на́шемꙋ ко́еждо: но ѿ тогѡ́жде бре́нїѧ созда̀ и҆ ꙗ҆̀же чи́стыхъ дѣ́лъ слꙋжє́бныѧ сосꙋ́ды, и҆ сопроти̑вныѧ, всѧ̑ подо́бнѣ: си́хъ же ѻ҆бои́хъ коегѡ́ждо є҆́сть ᲂу҆потребле́нїе, сꙋдїѧ̀ є҆́сть бренодѣ́латель.
And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth himself, and within a little while after returneth to the same, out of which he was taken, when his life which was lent him shall be demanded.
καὶ κακόμοχθος θεὸν μάταιον ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ πλάσσει πηλοῦ, ὃς πρὸ μικροῦ γῆς γεννηθεὶς μετ᾿ ὀλίγον πορεύεται ἐξ ἧς ἐλήφθη, τὸ τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπαιτηθεὶς χρέος.
И҆ ѕлотрꙋ́дникъ бо́га сꙋ́етна ѿ тогѡ́жде твори́тъ бре́нїѧ, и҆́же ма́лѡ пре́жде ѿ землѝ сотворе́нъ бы́въ, по ма́лѣ и҆́детъ, и҆з̾ неѧ́же взѧ́тъ бы́сть, и҆стѧ́занъ ѡ҆ дꙋше́внѣмъ долзѣ̀.
Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much labour, nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit things.
ἀλλ᾿ ἔστιν αὐτῷ φροντὶς οὐχ ὅτι μέλλει κάμνειν, ἀλλ᾿ ὅτι βραχυτελῆ βίον ἔχει, ἀλλ᾿ ἀντερείδεται μέν χρυσουργοῖς καὶ ἀργυροχόοις, χαλκοπλάστας τε μιμεῖται καὶ δόξαν ἡγεῖται ὅτι κίβδηλα πλάσσει.
Но є҆́сть є҆мꙋ̀ прилѣжа́нїе, не ꙗ҆́кѡ и҆́мать трꙋди́тисѧ, нижѐ ꙗ҆́кѡ краткоконе́чно житїѐ и҆́мать: но ревнꙋ́етъ златодѣ́лателємъ и҆ сребролїѧ́телємъ, и҆ мѣ́ди дѣ́лателємъ подража́етъ, и҆ сла́вꙋ мни́тъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ сквє́рнаѧ дѣ́лаетъ.
His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his life of less value than clay:
σποδὸς ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ, καὶ γῆς εὐτελεστέρα ἡ ἐλπὶς αὐτοῦ, πηλοῦ τε ἀτιμότερος ὁ βίος αὐτοῦ,
Пе́пелъ бо є҆́сть се́рдце є҆гѡ̀, и҆ землѝ хꙋ́ждше ᲂу҆пова́нїе є҆гѡ̀, и҆ бре́нїѧ безче́стнѣе живо́тъ є҆гѡ̀:
Forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit.
ὅτι ἠγνόησε τὸν πλάσαντα αὐτὸν καὶ τὸν ἐμπνεύσαντα αὐτῷ ψυχὴν ἐνεργοῦσαν καὶ ἐμφυσήσαντα πνεῦμα ζωτικόν·
ꙗ҆́кѡ не ᲂу҆вѣ́дѣ созда́вшагѡ є҆го̀, и҆ вдохнꙋ́вшагѡ є҆мꙋ̀ дꙋ́шꙋ дѣйстви́тельнꙋю, и҆ вдꙋ́нꙋвшагѡ дꙋ́хъ живо́тный.
Perhaps someone among people, having little discernment and lacking in wisdom, might be able to convince them that the garment of the soul, that is, this body of flesh generated by human beings, is formed on its own impetus, outside of God’s decision. He will certainly not be believed if he teaches that the substance of the soul is sown together with the mortal body. In fact, only the Almighty breathes into human beings what is immortal and what does not decay, since he alone is Creator of all invisible and imperishable things. It says, “He breathed on his face a spirit of life, and the man became a living being.” Moreover, the Word, accusing precisely those artists who, to people’s hurt, make statues of human features while not acknowledging the Creator, says in Wisdom, full of virtue, “Their heart is ashes, their wisdom more vain than the earth and their life more vile than mud, because they did not recognize the One who made them, who inspired in them the soul that acts and blew into them the spirit of life.” The Creator of all people is therefore God. For this reason, according to the saying of the apostle, “He wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
Symposium or Banquet of the Ten Virgins 2:7
But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a market for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way, though it be by evil means.
ἀλλ᾿ ἐλογίσαντο παίγνιον εἶναι τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν καὶ τὸν βίον πανηγυρισμὸν ἐπικερδῆ· δεῖν γάρ φησιν ὅθεν δή, κἂν ἐκ κακοῦ, πορίζειν.
Но вмѣни́ша и҆гра́лище бы́ти живо́тъ на́шъ, и҆ житїѐ всѐ ᲂу҆пражне́но на приѡбрѣ́тенїе: и҆́бо глаго́лютъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ подоба́етъ ѿкꙋ́дꙋ-либо, а҆́ще и҆ ѿ ѕла̀, приѡбрѣта́ти.
For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels and graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others.
οὗτος γὰρ παρὰ πάντας οἶδεν ὅτι ἁμαρτάνει, ὕλης γεώδους εὔθραυστα σκεύη καὶ γλυπτὰ δημιουργῶν.
Се́й бо па́че всѣ́хъ вѣ́сть, ꙗ҆́кѡ согрѣша́етъ, ѿ вещества̀ землена́гѡ ᲂу҆дѡ́бныѧ къ сокрꙋше́нїю сосꙋ́ды и҆ и҆зваѧ̑нїѧ содѣва́ѧй.
And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very babes.
πάντες δ᾿ ἀφρονέστατοι καὶ τάλαντες ὑπὲρ ψυχὴν νηπίου οἱ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ λαοῦ σου καταδυναστεύσαντες αὐτόν,
Вси́ же пребезꙋ́мнѣйшїи и҆ ѡ҆каѧ́ннѣйшїи, па́че дꙋшѝ младе́нческїѧ, вразѝ люді́й твои́хъ ѡ҆блада́вшїи и҆́ми:
For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods: which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as for their feet, they are slow to go.
ὅτι καὶ πάντα εἴδωλα τῶν ἐθνῶν ἐλογίσαντο θεούς, οἷς οὔτε ὀμμάτων χρῆσις εἰς ὅρασιν οὔτε ρῖνες εἰς συνολκὴν ἀέρος οὔτε ὦτα ἀκούειν οὔτε δάκτυλοι χειρῶν εἰς ψηλάφησιν, καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτῶν ἀργοὶ πρὸς ἐπίβασιν.
ꙗ҆́кѡ всѧ̑ і҆́дѡлы ꙗ҆зы́чєски вмѣни́ша въ бо́ги, и҆̀мже нижѐ ѻ҆че́съ ᲂу҆потребле́нїе ко зрѣ́нїю, нижѐ но́здри въ привлече́нїе а҆́ера, нижѐ ᲂу҆́ши слы́шати, нижѐ пе́рсты рꙋ́къ во ѡ҆сѧза́нїе, и҆ но́ги и҆́хъ пра̑здны ко хожде́нїю.
For man made them, and he that borrowed his own spirit fashioned them: but no man can make a god like unto himself.
ἄθρωπος γὰρ ἐποίησεν αὐτούς, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα δεδανεισμένος ἔπλασεν αὐτούς· οὐδεὶς γὰρ αὐτῷ ὅμοιον ἄνθρωπος ἰσχύει πλάσαι Θεόν.
Человѣ́къ бо сотворѝ и҆̀хъ, и҆ дꙋ́ха взаи́мъ взѧ́въ созда̀ и҆̀хъ: ни є҆ди́нъ бо человѣ́къ мо́жетъ себѣ̀ подо́бна бо́га созда́ти:
For being mortal, he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands: for he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth: whereas he lived once, but they never.
θνητὸς δὲ ὢν νεκρὸν ἐργάζεται χερσὶν ἀνόμοις· κρείττων γάρ ἐστι τῶν σεβασμάτων αὐτοῦ, ὧν αὐτὸς μὲν ἔζησεν, ἐκεῖνα δὲ οὐδέποτε.
сме́ртенъ же сы́й ме́ртва дѣ́лаетъ рꙋка́ма беззако́нныма: лꙋ́чшїй бо є҆́сть і҆́дѡлѡвъ свои́хъ: (ꙗ҆́кѡ) се́й ᲂу҆́бѡ поживѐ, ѻ҆́нїи же никогда̀.
“And they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of the image of corruptible human beings.” Their heart was darkened to such a degree that they transferred the majesty of the invisible God, whom they knew from these works, not to human beings but, a worse and unpardonable crime, to the likeness of human beings. They thus call the image of the corruptible human being—the likeness of a person—god. In this way they attribute the glory that belongs to God to images of dead people, to whom they would not dare to give this name while they were alive. What dullness, what foolishness, calling themselves wise to their own condemnation. In their eyes, the image is more powerful than truth, and the dead are better than the living! Indeed, separating themselves from the living God, they serve the dead. In this category are those of whom it is written in the Wisdom of Solomon, “The dead person forms a dead work with his wicked hands.” The Wisdom of Solomon says this about this kind of person.
Commentary on the Letter to the Romans 1:22-23
You say that your god lies, but that that object that you have made convinces you of the truth. By the fact, however, that it convinces you of the truth, it does not follow that it is superior to you. Even if you say what is false and he what is true, even if you say that it is a god and he a piece of wood, it is not for that reason superior to you. You have no reason, therefore, to worship it, almost as though it were superior to you. You in fact have sensible faculties, whereas he does not. You hear, whereas he does not hear. You see, whereas he does not see. You walk, whereas he does not walk. You live, whereas of him, I cannot even say that he is dead, since he has never been alive. You, therefore, are superior to the image you have made. Well then, worship one who is superior to you, that is, the One who created you! It would be an insult to you if someone considered you as equal to that object you have made. You ask what the one you worship is like? If someone were to say to you out of ill will, “If only you were like that thing there,” you would be beside yourself with rage. And yet you adore what you would abhor to be, and adoring it you become in some way similar to that object, not, of course, changing into wood and ceasing to be a person but rendering your interior person almost similar to the bodily effigy you have made.
Newly Discovered Sermons 6:5
Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful: for being compared together, some are worse than others.
καὶ τὰ ζῷα δὲ τὰ ἔχθιστα σέβονται· ἀνοίᾳ γὰρ συγκρινόμενα τῶν ἄλλων ἐστὶ χείρονα·
И҆ живо́тныхъ ме́рзкихъ чтꙋ́тъ: безꙋ̑мнаѧ бо сравнѧ́ємаѧ и҆ны́хъ сꙋ́ть хꙋ́ждша.
Paganism was so disgusting that it not only worshiped as gods the image of human beings shaped in insensible material, but it also gave perverse cult to the images of other animals, being entirely without discretion in this regard. Indeed, according to the sense of the truth, the living are prior to the dead, and sensible things prior to inanimate and rational animals prior to the other animals. But it stands to reason that someone who ignored the Creator would be unable to adequately distinguish his creatures. He who neglected to bear within himself the praise and blessing of God showed himself capable of erring with respect to the nature and differences between animals.
On Ecclesiasticus 3:6
Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in respect of beasts: but they went without the praise of God and his blessing.
οὐδ᾿ ὅσον ἐπιποθῆσαι ὡς ἐν ζῴων ὄψει καλὰ τυγχάνει, ἐκπέφευγε δὲ καὶ τὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἔπαινον καὶ τὴν εὐλογίαν αὐτοῦ.
Нижѐ є҆ли́кѡ вожделѣ́ти ꙗ҆́кѡ въ лицы̀ живо́тныхъ бла̑га сꙋ́ть, ѿбѣго́ша же и҆ бж҃їѧ хвалы̀ и҆ блгⷭ҇ве́нїѧ є҆гѡ̀.
But thou, O God, art gracious and true, longsuffering, and in mercy ordering all things,
ΣΥ δὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν χρηστὸς καὶ ἀληθής, μακρόθυμος καὶ ἐν ἐλέει διοικῶν τὰ πάντα.
Ты́ же бг҃ъ на́шъ бл҃гъ и҆ и҆́стиненъ, долготерпѣли́въ и҆ въ млⷭ҇ти ᲂу҆правлѧ́ѧй всѧ̑.