Wisdom of Solomon 19
Commentary from 1 father
As for the ungodly, wrath came upon them without mercy unto the end: for he knew before what they would do;
ΤΟΙΣ δὲ ἀσεβέσι μέχρι τέλους ἀνελεήμων θυμὸς ἐπέστη· προῄδει γὰρ αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ μέλλοντα,
Нечєсти́вымъ же до конца̀ без̾ ми́лости ꙗ҆́рость на́йде: предвѣ́дѣ бо и҆́хъ и҆ бꙋ̑дꙋщаѧ,
How that having given them leave to depart, and sent them hastily away, they would repent and pursue them.
ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐπιτρέψαντες τοῦ ἀπιέναι καὶ μετὰ σπουδῆς προπέμψαντες αὐτούς, διώξουσι μεταμεληθέντες.
ꙗ҆́кѡ ті́и ѿпꙋсти́вшїи, є҆́же ѿитѝ, и҆ со тща́нїемъ предпосла́вше и҆̀хъ, поженꙋ́тъ в̾слѣ́дъ раска́ѧвшесѧ:
For whilst they were yet mourning and making lamentation at the graves of the dead, they added another foolish device, and pursued them as fugitives, whom they had intreated to be gone.
ἔτι γὰρ ἐν χερσὶν ἔχοντες τὰ πένθη καὶ προσοδυρόμενοι τάφοις νεκρῶν, ἕτερον ἐπεσπάσαντο λογισμὸν ἀνοίας καὶ οὓς ἱκετεύοντες ἐξέβαλον, τούτους ὡς φυγάδες ἐδίωκον.
є҆ще́ бо въ рꙋка́хъ и҆мѣ́юще рыда̑нїѧ и҆ сѣ́тꙋюще над̾ гроба́ми ме́ртвыхъ, и҆́нъ себѣ̀ взѧ́ша по́мыслъ безꙋ́мїѧ, и҆ и҆̀хже молѧ́ще и҆згна́ша, си́хъ а҆́ки бѣглецє́въ гонѧ́хꙋ.
For the destiny, whereof they were worthy, drew them unto this end, and made them forget the things that had already happened, that they might fulfil the punishment which was wanting to their torments:
εἷλκε γὰρ αὐτοὺς ἡ ἀξία ἐπὶ τοῦτο τὸ πέρας ἀνάγκη καὶ τῶν συμβεβηκότων ἀμνηστίαν ἐνέβαλεν, ἵνα τὴν λείπουσαν ταῖς βασάνοις προαναπληρώσωσι κόλασιν,
Влеча́ше бо и҆̀хъ къ семꙋ̀ концꙋ̀ досто́йнаѧ нꙋ́жда, и҆ приклю́чшихсѧ забы́тїе вложѝ, да и҆ про́чꙋю къ мꙋче́нїємъ принапо́лнѧтъ ка́знь:
And that thy people might pass a wonderful way: but they might find a strange death.
καὶ ὁ μὲν λαός σου παράδοξον ὁδοιπορίαν περάσῃ, ἐκεῖνοι δὲ ξένον εὕρωσι θάνατον.
и҆ лю́дїе ᲂу҆́бѡ твоѝ пресла́вное пꙋтьше́ствїе пре́йдꙋтъ, ѻ҆ни́ же стра́ннꙋ ѡ҆брѧ́щꙋтъ сме́рть.
For the whole creature in his proper kind was fashioned again anew, serving the peculiar commandments that were given unto them, that thy children might be kept without hurt:
ὅλη γὰρ ἡ κτίσις ἐν ἰδίῳ γένει πάλιν ἄνωθεν διετυποῦτο ὑπηρετοῦσα ταῖς σαῖς ἐπιταγαῖς. ἵνα οἱ σοὶ παῖδες φυλαχθῶσιν ἀβλαβεῖς.
Все́ бо творе́нїе во свое́мъ є҆мꙋ̀ ро́дѣ па́ки свы́ше преѡбразова́шесѧ, слꙋжа́щее сво́йствєннымъ твои̑мъ повелѣ́нїємъ, да ѻ҆́троцы твоѝ сохранѧ́тсѧ неврежде́ни.
Where through all the people went that were defended with thy hand, seeing thy marvellous strange wonders.
δι᾿ οὗ πανεθνὶ διῆλθον οἱ τῇ σῇ σκεπαζόμενοι χειρί, θεωρήσαντες θαυμαστὰ τέρατα.
и҆́мже ве́сь ꙗ҆зы́къ про́йде, твое́ю рꙋко́ю покрове́ни, ви́дѧще ди̑внаѧ чꙋдеса̀.
For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them.
ὡς γὰρ ἵπποι ἐνεμήθησαν καὶ ὡς ἀμνοὶ διεσκίρτησαν αἰνοῦντές σε, Κύριε, τὸν ῥυόμενον αὐτούς.
Ꙗ҆́коже бо ко́ни насы́тишасѧ, и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ а҆́гнцы взыгра́шасѧ, хва́лѧще тѧ̀, гдⷭ҇и, и҆зба́вльшаго и҆̀хъ:
It is fitting that we, too, give thanks at all times to our Creator for our liberation, saying with the prophet, “Bless the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, and do not forget all his benefits.” And we see that the apostle also teaches us, “Pray constantly, in all things give thanks. This is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
On Ecclesiasticus 3:17
For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while they sojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes.
ἐμέμνηντο γὰρ ἔτι τῶν ἐν τῇ παροικίᾳ αὐτῶν, πῶς ἀντὶ μὲν γενέσεως ζῴων ἐξήγαγεν ἡ γῆ σκνῖπα, ἀντὶ δὲ ἐνύδρων ἐξηρεύξατο ὁ ποταμὸς πλῆθος βατράχων.
воспомѧнꙋ́ша бо є҆щѐ, ꙗ҆̀же во ѡ҆бита́нїи и҆́хъ, ка́кѡ ᲂу҆́бѡ вмѣ́стѡ рожде́нїѧ живо́тныхъ и҆зведѐ землѧ̀ скні̑пы, вмѣ́стѡ же ры́бъ и҆зры́гнꙋ рѣка̀ мно́жество жа́бъ.
But afterwards they saw a new generation of fowls, when, being led with their appetite, they asked delicate meats.
ἐφ᾿ ὑστέρῳ δὲ εἶδον καὶ νέαν γένεσιν ὀρνέων, ὅτι ἐπιθυμίᾳ προαχθέντες ᾐτήσαντο ἐδέσματα τρυφῆς·
Послѣди́ же ви́дѣша и҆ но́вое рожде́нїе пти́цъ, є҆гда̀ похотѣ́нїемъ подви́гшесѧ, проси́ша сла́достныѧ пи́щи.
For quails came up unto them from the sea for their contentment.
εἰς γὰρ παραμυθίαν ἀνέβη αὐτοῖς ἀπὸ θαλάσσης ὀρτυγομήτρα.
Во ᲂу҆тѣше́нїе бо взыдо́ша и҆̀мъ ѿ мо́рѧ кра́стєли: и҆ мꙋчє́нїѧ грѣ̑шнымъ наидо́ша, не без̾ бы́вшихъ зна́менїй си́лою мо́лнїй: пра́веднѣ бо пострада́ша за своѧ̑ ѕлѡ́бы,
And punishments came upon the sinners not without former signs by the force of thunders: for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness, insomuch as they used a more hard and hateful behaviour toward strangers.
καὶ αἱ τιμωρίαι τοῖς ἀμαρτωλοῖς ἐπῆλθον οὐκ ἄνευ τῶν προγεγονότων τεκμηρίων τῇ βίᾳ τῶν κεραυνῶν· δικαίως γὰρ ἔπασχον ταῖς ἰδίαις αὐτῶν πονηρίαις, καὶ γὰρ χαλεπωτέραν μισοξενίαν ἐπετήδευσαν.
и҆́бо лютѣ́йшее ненавидѣ́нїе стра́нныхъ соверши́ша: и҆ні́и ᲂу҆́бѡ незна́емыхъ не прїе́млѧхꙋ прише́льцєвъ, сі́и же благодѣ́телей стра́нныхъ порабоща́хꙋ.
For the Sodomites did not receive those, whom they knew not when they came: but these brought friends into bondage, that had well deserved of them.
οἱ μὲν γὰρ τοὺς ἀγνοοῦντας οὐκ ἐδέχοντο παρόντας, οὗτοι δὲ εὐεργέτας ξένους ἐδουλοῦντο.
И҆ не то́кмѡ, но а҆́ще ко́е разсмотре́нїе бꙋ́детъ и҆́хъ: занѐ вражде́бнѡ прїе́млѧхꙋ чꙋжды́хъ.
And not only so, but peradventure some respect shall be had of those, because they used strangers not friendly:
καὶ οὐ μόνον, ἀλλ᾿ ἤ τις ἐπισκοπὴ ἔσται αὐτῶν, ἐπεὶ ἀπεχθῶς προσεδέχοντο τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους·
Сі́и же съ пра́зднествами прїе́мше приѡбщи́вшихсѧ ᲂу҆жѐ и҆́хъ ѡ҆бы́чаємъ, жесточа́йшими ѡ҆ѕло́биша трꙋда́ми.
But these very grievously afflicted them, whom they had received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the same laws with them.
οἱ δὲ μετὰ ἑορτασμάτων εἰσδεξάμενοι τοὺς ἤδη τῶν αὐτῶν μετεσχηκότας δικαίων, δεινοῖς ἐκάκωσαν πόνοις.
Побїе́ни же бы́ша и҆ ѡ҆слѣпле́нїемъ, ꙗ҆́коже ѻ҆́нїи при две́рехъ пра́ведника, є҆гда̀ вели́кою ѡ҆бложе́ни тьмо́ю, кі́йждо свои́хъ две́рїй прохо́да и҆ска́ше.
Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compassed about with horrible great darkness, every one sought the passage of his own doors.
ἐπλήγησαν δὲ καὶ ἀορασίᾳ, ὥσπερ ἐκεῖνοι ἐπὶ ταῖς τοῦ δικαίου θύραις, ὅτε ἀχανεῖ περιβληθέντες σκότει, ἕκαστος τῶν αὐτοῦ θυρῶν τὴν δίοδον ἐζήτει.
Са́ми бо собо́ю стїхі̑и премѣнѧ́ємы, ꙗ҆́коже въ гꙋ́слехъ гла́сы сли́чїѧ и҆́мѧ премѣнѧ́ютъ, всегда̀ хранѧ́ще звꙋ́къ: є҆́же є҆́сть ви́дѣти ѿ зра́ка бы́вшихъ и҆звѣ́стнѡ.
It rightly says that they were stricken with blindness, like those who were blinded by the darkness and wandered before the door of the righteous one—that is, of Lot—looking for the door’s opening without finding it. In fact, whoever suffers interiorly because of the darkness of error is surrounded on all sides by extremely grave dangers, since he does not know the way to life. And nor can one who errs find that door who says in the Gospel, “I am the door. If someone enters through me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.”
On Ecclesiasticus 3:18
For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony, like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the tune, and yet are always sounds; which may well be perceived by the sight of the things that have been done.
δι᾿ ἑαυτῶν γὰρ τὰ στοιχεῖα μεθαρμοζόμενα, ὥσπερ ἐν ψαλτηρίῳ φθόγγοι τοῦ ρυθμοῦ τὸ ὄνομα διαλλάσσουσι, πάντοτε μένοντα ἤχῳ, ὅπερ ἐστὶν εἰκάσαι ἐκ τῆς τῶν γεγονότων ὄψεως ἀκριβῶς.
Земна̑ѧ бо въ вѡдна́ѧ прелага́хꙋсѧ, и҆ пла̑вающаѧ прехожда́хꙋ на зе́млю.
People and herds crossed the depths of the Red Sea dry-shod, and frogs from the river filled the houses of the Egyptians. Fire rained from heaven mixed with hail, and neither the fire opposed itself to the water nor the water to the fire, but falling together they struck the land of the Egyptians. Where the children of Israel were, they hurt no one, to show that all the elements of the world are subject not only to their proper condition but also to the service of the will of the Creator.
On Ecclesiasticus 3:18
For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things, that before swam in the water, now went upon the ground.
χερσαῖα γὰρ εἰς ἔνυδρα μετεβάλλετο, καὶ νηκτὰ μετέβαινεν ἐπὶ γῆς·
Ѻ҆́гнь возмога́ше въ водѣ̀ вы́шше своеѧ̀ си́лы, и҆ вода̀ ᲂу҆гаша́ющꙋю си́лꙋ забы̀.
The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue: and the water forgat his own quenching nature.
πῦρ ἴσχυεν ἐν ὕδατι τῆς ἰδίας δυνάμεως, καὶ ὕδωρ τῆς σβεστικῆς δυνάμεως ἐπελανθάνετο·
Пла́мень вопрекѝ ᲂу҆доботлѣ́нныхъ живо́тныхъ не вредѝ пло́тей въ не́мъ ходѧ́щихъ, нижѐ таѧ́ше ледови́дный ᲂу҆добота́ѧй ро́дъ сла́достныѧ пи́щи.
On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of the corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither melted they the icy kind of heavenly meat that was of nature apt to melt.
φλόγες ἀνάπαλιν εὐφθάρτων ζῴων οὐκ ἐμάραναν σάρκας ἐμπεριπατούντων, οὐδὲ τηκτὸν κρυσταλλοειδὲς εὔτηκτον γένος ἀμβροσίας τροφῆς.
По всемꙋ́ бо, гдⷭ҇и, возвели́чилъ є҆сѝ лю́ди твоѧ̑ и҆ просла́вилъ є҆сѝ, и҆ не презрѣ́лъ є҆сѝ, во всѧ́цѣмъ вре́мени и҆ мѣ́стѣ предстоѧ́й.
For in all things, O Lord, thou didst magnify thy people, and glorify them, neither didst thou lightly regard them: but didst assist them in every time and place.
Κατὰ πάντα γάρ, Κύριε, ἐμεγάλυνας τὸν λαόν σου καὶ ἐδόξασας καὶ οὐχ ὑπερεῖδες ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ καὶ τόπῳ παριστάμενος.
We must not object that the bodies of the holy martyrs are given over to the hands of their persecutors, since this is not allowed for their condemnation but to try them. As gold does not burn in the furnace but is tested, so the souls of the elect, tried by the fire of tribulation, are made purer before their Creator, since it is written, “The furnace tries the objects of the potter, the temptation of tribulation tests the righteous.” “Many are the misfortunes of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. He preserves all his bones; not one of them will be broken. He rescues the lives of his servants. The one who trusts in him will not be condemned.”
On Ecclesiasticus 3:18
As namely, a cloud shadowing the camp; and where water stood before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red sea a way without impediment; and out of the violent stream a green field:
ἡ τὴν παρεμβολὴν σκιάζουσα νεφέλη, ἐκ δὲ προϋφεστῶτος ὕδατος ξηρᾶς ἀνάδυσις γῆς ἐθεωρήθη, ἐξ ἐρυθρᾶς θαλάσσης ὁδὸς ἀνεμπόδιστος καὶ χλοηφόρον πεδίον ἐκ κλύδωνος βιαίου·
Ѡ҆́блакъ ѡ҆сѣнѧ́ѧй по́лкъ и҆́хъ, и҆ и҆з̾ преждебы́вшїѧ воды̀ ѿкры́тїе сꙋхі́ѧ землѝ ꙗ҆ви́сѧ, и҆ и҆з̾ мо́рѧ чермна́гѡ пꙋ́ть невозбра́ненъ, и҆ по́ле ѕла́чное ѿ волне́нїѧ ѕѣ́льнагѡ: