Wisdom of Solomon 18
Commentary from 2 fathers
Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light, whose voice they hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered the same things, they counted them happy.
ΤΟΙΣ δὲ ὁσίοις σου μέγιστον ἦν φῶς· ὧν φωνὴν μὲν ἀκούοντες, μορφὴν δὲ οὐχ ὁρῶντες, ὅτι μὲν οὐ κἀκεῖνοι ἐπεπόνθεισαν, ἐμακάριζον,
Преподѡ́бнымъ же твои̑мъ превели́къ бѣ̀ свѣ́тъ: и҆́хже ᲂу҆́бѡ гла́съ слы́шаше, ѡ҆́браза же не ви́дѧще, зане́же ᲂу҆́бѡ и҆ ѻ҆нѝ (тогѡ́жде) не страда́хꙋ, ᲂу҆блажа́хꙋ.
But for that they did not hurt them now, of whom they had been wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon for that they had been enemies.
ὅτι δὲ οὐ βλάπτουσι προηδικημένοι, ηὐχαρίστουν καὶ τοῦ διενεχθῆναι χάριν ἐδέοντο.
А҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ не па́коствꙋютъ пред̾ѡби́димїи, благодарѧ́хꙋ, и҆ є҆́же пронести́сѧ, благода́ти молѧ́хꙋ.
Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain them honourably.
ἀνθ᾿ ὧν πυριφλεγῆ στῦλον, ὁδηγὸν μὲν ἀγνώστου ὁδοιπορίας, ἥλιον δὲ ἀβλαβῆ φιλοτίμου ξενιτείας παρέσχες.
Си́хъ ра́ди сто́лпъ ѻ҆гнегорѧ́щь, вожда̀ ᲂу҆́бѡ невѣ́домагѡ пꙋтьше́ствїѧ, со́лнце же невреди́тельное любоче́стнагѡ стра́нствованїѧ по́далъ є҆сѝ.
For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world.
ἄξιοι μὲν γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι στερηθῆναι φωτὸς καὶ φυλακισθῆναι ἐν σκότει, οἱ κατακλείστους φυλάξαντες τοὺς υἱούς σου, δι᾿ ὧν ἤμελλε τὸ ἄφθαρτον νόμου φῶς τῷ αἰῶνι δίδοσθαι.
Досто́йни бо ѻ҆нѝ лиши́тисѧ свѣ́та и҆ блюсти́сѧ во тьмѣ̀, и҆̀же заключе́ныхъ стрежа́хꙋ сынѡ́въ твои́хъ, и҆́миже и҆мѧ́ше нетлѣ́нный зако́на свѣ́тъ вѣ́кꙋ да́тисѧ.
And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water.
Βουλευσαμένους δ᾿ αὐτοὺς τὰ τῶν ὁσίων ἀποκτεῖναι νήπια καὶ ἑνὸς ἐκτεθέντος τέκνου καὶ σωθέντος, εἰς ἔλεγχον τὸ αὐτῶν ἀφείλω πλῆθος τέκνων καὶ ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἀπώλεσας ἐν ὕδατι σφοδρῷ.
Совѣ́товавшихъ же и҆́хъ ᲂу҆бива́ти младе́нцы преподо́бныхъ, и҆ є҆ди́номꙋ ѿложе́нꙋ ча́дꙋ и҆ спасе́нꙋ, во ѡ҆бличе́нїе и҆́хъ ѿѧ́лъ є҆сѝ мно́жество ча̑дъ, и҆ кꙋ́пнѡ погꙋби́лъ є҆сѝ въ водѣ̀ ѕѣ́льнѣй.
Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer.
ἐκείνη ἡ νὺξ προεγνώσθη πατράσιν ἡμῶν, ἵνα ἀσφαλῶς εἰδότες οἷς ἐπίστευσαν ὅρκοις ἐπευθυμήσωσι.
Ѻ҆́наѧ бо но́щь пред̾ꙋвѣ́дѣна бы́сть ѻ҆тцє́мъ на́шымъ, да тве́рдѡ вѣ́дꙋще, и҆̀мже клѧ́твамъ вѣ́роваша, возблагодꙋ́шествꙋютъ.
So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous, and destruction of the enemies.
προσεδέχθη δὲ ὑπὸ λαοῦ σου σωτηρία μὲν δικαίων, ἐχθρῶν δὲ ἀπώλεια·
Воспрїѧ́то же бы́сть ѿ люді́й твои́хъ спасе́нїе ᲂу҆́бѡ пра́ведныхъ, врагѡ́въ же и҆стребле́нїе:
For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries, by the same thou didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called.
ᾧ γὰρ ἐτιμωρήσω τοὺς ὑπεναντίους, τοῦτο ἡμᾶς προσκαλεσάμενος ἐδόξασας.
и҆́мже бо наказа́лъ є҆сѝ сꙋпоста́ты на́шѧ, си́мъ на́съ призва́въ просла́вилъ є҆сѝ.
For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise.
κρυφῆ γὰρ ἐθυσίαζον ὅσιοι παῖδες ἀγαθῶν καὶ τὸν τῆς θειότητος νόμον ἐν ὁμονοίᾳ διέθεντο τῶν αὐτῶν ὁμοίως καὶ ἀγαθῶν καὶ κινδύνων μεταλήψεσθαι τοὺς ἁγίους, πατέρων ἤδη προαναμέλποντες αἴνους.
Сокрове́ннѡ бо жрѧ́хꙋ преподо́бнїи ѻ҆́троцы благи́хъ, и҆ зако́нъ бжⷭ҇твенный є҆диномы́слїемъ завѣща́ша, та̑ѧжде подо́бнѡ, блага̑ѧ же и҆ бѣ́дствєннаѧ воспрїима́ти ст҃ы̑мъ, ѻ҆тцє́мъ ᲂу҆жѐ предвоспѣва́ющымъ хвалꙋ̀.
The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and like as the king, so suffered the common person.
ὁμοίᾳ δὲ δίκῃ δοῦλος ἅμα δεσπότῃ κολασθεὶς καὶ δημότης βασιλεῖ τὰ αὐτὰ πάσχων,
Подо́бною же ме́стїю ра́бъ кꙋ́пнѡ съ господи́номъ казне́нъ бы́сть, и҆ просты́й человѣ́къ съ царе́мъ та̑ѧжде пострада̀:
So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death; neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.
ὁμοθυμαδὸν δὲ πάντες ἐν ἑνὶ ὀνόματι θανάτου νεκροὺς εἶχον ἀναριθμήτους· οὐδὲ γὰρ πρὸς τὸ θάψαι οἱ ζῶντες ἦσαν ἱκανοί, ἐπεὶ πρὸς μίαν ῥοπὴν ἡ ἐντιμοτέρα γένεσις αὐτῶν διέφθαρτο.
є҆динодꙋ́шнѡ же всѝ во є҆ди́нѣмъ и҆́мени сме́ртнѣмъ ме́ртвыхъ и҆мѣ́ѧхꙋ безчи́сленныхъ: ниже́ бо ко погребе́нїю живі́и бѧ́хꙋ дово́льни, поне́же во є҆ди́нѣмъ мгнове́нїи честнѣ́йшїй ро́дъ и҆́хъ и҆стребле́нъ бы́сть.
For whereas they would not believe any thing by reason of the enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God.
πάντα γὰρ ἀπιστοῦντες διὰ τὰς φαρμακείας ἐπὶ τῷ τῶν πρωτοτόκων ὀλέθρῳ, ὡμολόγησαν Θεοῦ υἱὸν λαὸν εἶναι.
Ѡ҆ всѣ́хъ бо не вѣ́рꙋюще ра́ди чародѣѧ́нїй, а҆ ра́ди пе́рвенцєвъ и҆стребле́нїѧ, и҆сповѣ́даша люді́й сынѡ́въ бж҃їихъ бы́ти.
For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course,
ἡσύχου γὰρ σιγῆς περιεχούσης τὰ πάντα καὶ νυκτὸς ἐν ἰδίῳ τάχει μεσαζούσης,
Ти́хомꙋ бо молча́нїю содержа́щꙋ всѧ̑, и҆ но́щи во свое́мъ тече́нїи преполовлѧ́ющейсѧ,
It says that at midnight, almighty God made his word descend from heaven, from the royal throne, like a ruthless champion in the middle of the land of slaughter, to powerfully carry out the judgment of death on the godless. What is the word of the Lord if not the Son of God, of whom John says, “In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” through whom everything was made? Elsewhere he is called the arm of God, as Isaiah says, “To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” He is also called the right hand of the Lord, in that he is the power that brings into effect the divine power. It must be understood, then, that this word, in virtue of the evangelical ministry, carried out at that time the judgment on the firstborn of the Egyptians and then consecrated the firstborn of the Israelites to himself. He now saves the multitude of believers through the waters of baptism, at the same time destroying the huge army of spiritual enemies.
On Ecclesiasticus 3:15
Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction,
ὁ παντοδύναμός σου λόγος ἀπ᾿ οὐρανῶν ἐκ θρόνων βασιλειῶν ἀπότομος πολεμιστὴς εἰς μέσον τῆς ὀλεθρίας ἥλατο γῆς,
всемогꙋ́щее сло́во твоѐ, (гдⷭ҇и,) съ нб҃съ ѿ прⷭ҇то́лѡвъ цр҃скихъ же́стокъ ра́тникъ въ среди́нꙋ поги́бельныѧ землѝ сни́де.
And brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth.
ξίφος ὀξὺ τὴν ἀνυπόκριτον ἐπιταγήν σου φέρων, καὶ στὰς ἐπλήρωσε τὰ πάντα θανάτου· καὶ οὐρανοῦ μὲν ἥπτετο, βεβήκει δ᾿ ἐπὶ γῆς.
Ме́чь ѻ҆́стръ нелицемѣ́рное повелѣ́нїе твоѐ носѧ́й, и҆ ста́въ и҆спо́лни всѧ̑ сме́рти: и҆ небесѐ ᲂу҆́бѡ каса́шесѧ, стоѧ́ше же на землѝ.
Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for.
τότε παραχρῆμα φαντασίαι μὲν ὀνείρων δεινῶς ἐξετάραξαν αὐτούς, φόβοι δὲ ἐπέστησαν ἀδόκητοι,
Тогда̀ внеза́пꙋ привидѣ̑нїѧ ᲂу҆́бѡ снѡ́въ лю́тѣ смꙋти́ша и҆̀хъ, стра́си же наидо́ша неча́ѧнни,
And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death.
καὶ ἄλλος ἀλλαχῇ ριφεὶς ἡμίθνητος δι᾿ ἣν ἔθνησκεν αἰτίαν ἐνεφάνιζεν·
и҆ и҆́нъ и҆на́мѡ ве́рженъ є҆́ле жи́въ, є҆ѧ́же ра́ди вины̀ ᲂу҆мира́ше, ѡ҆б̾ѧвлѧ́ше:
For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted.
οἱ γὰρ ὄνειροι θορυβήσαντες αὐτοὺς τοῦτο προεμήνυσαν, ἵνα μὴ ἀγνοοῦντες δι᾿ ὃ κακῶς πάσχουσιν ἀπόλωνται.
сѡ́нїѧ бо, смꙋти́вше и҆̀хъ, сїѐ предвозвѣсти́ша: да не вѣ́дѧще, є҆гѡ́же ра́ди ѕлѣ̀ стра́ждꙋтъ, поги́бнꙋтъ.
Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath endured not long.
῞Ηψατο δὲ καὶ δικαίων πεῖρα θανάτου, καὶ θραῦσις ἐν ἐρήμῳ ἐγένετο πλήθους. ἀλλ᾿ οὐκ ἐπὶ πολὺ ἔμεινεν ἡ ὀργή·
Прикоснꙋ́сѧ же нѣ́когда и҆ пра́ведныхъ и҆скꙋше́нїе сме́рти, пораже́нїе во пꙋсты́ни бы́сть мно́жества: но не до́лгѡ пребы́сть гнѣ́въ.
For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant.
σπεύσας γὰρ ἀνὴρ ἄμεμπτος προεμάχησε τὸ τῆς ἰδίας λειτουργίας ὅπλον, προσευχὴν καὶ θυμιάματος ἐξιλασμὸν κομίσας, ἀντέστη τῷ θυμῷ καὶ πέρας ἐπέθηκε τῇ συμφορᾷ, δεικνὺς ὅτι σός ἐστι θεράπων.
Потща́всѧ бо мꙋ́жъ непоро́ченъ предпобо́рствова, своеѧ̀ слꙋ́жбы ѻ҆рꙋ́жїе, моли́твꙋ и҆ ѳѷмїа́ма ᲂу҆милостивле́нїе прине́съ, сопроти́въ ста̀ гнѣ́вꙋ и҆ коне́цъ положѝ бѣ́дствованїю, показа́въ, ꙗ҆́кѡ тво́й є҆́сть ра́бъ.
So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers.
ἐνίκησε δὲ τὸν ὄχλον οὐκ ἰσχύϊ τοῦ σώματος, οὐχ ὅπλων ἐνεργείᾳ, ἀλλὰ λόγῳ τὸν κολάζοντα ὑπέταξεν, ὅρκους πατέρων καὶ διαθήκας ὑπομνήσας.
Ѡ҆долѣ́ же поража́ющаго не си́лою тѣле́сною, нижѐ ѻ҆рꙋ́жїѧ дѣ́йствїемъ, но сло́вомъ покорѝ наказꙋ́ющаго, клѧ̑твы ѻ҆тцє́въ и҆ завѣ́ты воспомѧнꙋ́въ.
For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living.
σωρηδὸν γὰρ ἤδη πεπτωκότων ἐπ᾿ ἀλλήλων νεκρῶν, μεταξὺ στάς, ἀνέκοψε τὴν ὀργὴν καὶ διέσχισε τὴν πρὸς τοὺς ζῶντας ὁδόν.
Грома́дами бо ᲂу҆жѐ па́дшымъ дрꙋ́гъ на дрꙋ́га мє́ртвымъ, посредѣ̀ ста́въ, пресѣчѐ гнѣ́въ и҆ раздѣлѝ къ живы̑мъ пꙋ́ть.
For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon the diadem of his head.
ἐπὶ γὰρ ποδήρους ἐνδύματος ἦν ὅλος ὁ κόσμος, καὶ πατέρων δόξαι ἐπὶ τετραστίχου λίθου γλυφῆς, καὶ μεγαλωσύνη σου ἐπὶ διαδήματος κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ.
На ѻ҆де́жди бо поди́ра бѣ̀ ве́сь мі́ръ, и҆ ѻ҆тцє́въ сла̑вы на и҆зваѧ́нїи четырерѧдова́гѡ ка́менїѧ, и҆ вели́чество твоѐ на дїади́мѣ главы̀ є҆гѡ̀.
The name “world” is often used in the Scriptures with different meanings. What in Latin we call “world,” the Greeks call kosmos, and kosmos not only means “world” but also “ornament.” In fact, in Isaiah, when a reproach is made against the powerful children of Zion, it is said, “Instead of golden ornaments you will be bald, because of your works,” where “ornament” is indicated with the word that means “world,” that is, kosmos. And it is also said that the explanation of the world was contained in the pontifical vestment, as we find in the Wisdom of Solomon, where it says, “The entire world was in the priestly vestment.” Our earth with its inhabitants is also called world, as when the Scripture says that “the whole world is in the possession of the evil one.” And Clement, disciple of the apostles, refers to those places that the Greeks called antipodes and to the other parts of the earth where no one can reach (just as none of the people there can reach us), and he calls them “world,” saying, “The ocean cannot be crossed by people, nor the worlds that are beyond them, which are governed by the very dispositions of the Lord God.” We also call world this universe that is formed by the heavens and the earth, as Paul says, “The form of this world is passing away.” And our Lord and Savior also speaks of another beyond this visible world, which is difficult to describe and define in its reality. He says, “I do not come from this world.” As though he came from another world, he said, “I do not come from this world.” We said that it is difficult to describe this world, so as to not provide anyone with occasion to claim that we assert the existence of the images that the Greeks call ideas. In fact, it is foreign to our way of thinking to assert the existence of an incorporeal world, consisting solely in the fantasy of the mind and fallacious thoughts.
On First Principles 2:3.6
Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.
τούτοις εἶξεν ὁ ὀλοθρεύων, ταῦτα δὲ ἐφοβήθησαν· ἦν γὰρ μόνη ἡ πεῖρα τῆς ὀργῆς ἱκανή.
Си̑мъ ᲂу҆стꙋпи́лъ и҆скоренѧ́ѧй и҆ си́хъ ᲂу҆страши́сѧ: бѣ́ бо то́кмѡ и҆скꙋше́нїе гнѣ́ва дово́льно.
But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that were bewailed.
ἀντήχει δ᾿ ἀσύμφωνος ἐχθρῶν βοή, καὶ οἰκτρὰ διεφέρετο θρηνουμένων παίδων·
Противогласѧ́ше же несогла́сный врагѡ́въ во́пль, и҆ плаче́вный слы́шашесѧ гла́съ пла́чꙋщихъ младе́нцєвъ.