The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocryphal books,

BARUCH.

Prologe to the book of Baruch, the prophete [From K. The prolog of Baruch. A. Prologe in Baruch. EK sec. v. The prologe in Baruch. GH. No initial rubric in C.] .

`THIS boc, that [The boke of A.] Baruch bi name is bifor notid, in Ebru canoun is not had, but onli in the comun translacioun; lyc maner and [and in E pr. m.] the epistil of Jeremye; for the knouleching forsothe of rederes heer ben write; for many thingus of Crist and of the laste tymes thei shewen.

Here endith the prologe, and bigynneth the book of Baruch [From K. No final rubric in ACEGH.] .

[Heer gynneth the boc [Here begynneth the boke of Baruch, prophete. A. Incipit liber Baruch. E. Here bigynneth the boke of Baruch. GH. No initial rubric in K.] .] CAP. I.

[verse 1] And these ben the wrdus of the boc, that wrot Baruch, the sone of Neri, sone of Masy, sone of Sedechie, sone of Sedei, [verse 2] sone of Elchie, in Babilon; in the fifte ȝer, in the seuenthe dai of the moneth, in the tyme that Caldeis token Jerusa|lem, and brenden it vp with fyr. [verse 3] And Baruch radde the wrdus of this boc at the eres of Jeconye, sone of Joachym,

king of Juda, and at the eres of al the [verse 4] puple comende to the boc; and at the eres of the myȝti men of the sonus of kingus, and at the eres of prestus, and at the eres of the puple, fro the leste vnto the meste of hem, alle dwellende in Babyloyne, and at the flod of Sodi. [verse 5] The whiche herende wepten, and fasteden, and preȝeden in the siȝt of the Lord. [verse 6] And thei geder|eden monee, after that myȝte of eche the hond. [verse 7] And thei senten in to Jerusalem to Joachym, sone of Elchie, sone of Sa|len, the prest, and to the prestus, and to al the puple that ben founde with hym [hem K.] [verse 8] in Jerusalem; whan thei shulde take the vesseles of the temple, that weren take awei fro the temple, to aȝeen clepe `in to [in A.] the lond of Juda, the tenthe dai of the moneth Cybam; the siluer vesselis, that Sedechie, sone [the sone E pr. m.] of Josie, king of Juda, [verse 9] made, after that Nabugodonosor, king of Babiloyne, hadde take Jeconye, and his [the AE sec. m. GHK. Om. E pr. m.] princes, and alle the [and the E.] myȝti, and the [al the A sup. ras.] puple of the lond fro Jerusalem, and broȝte them gyued in to Babiloyne. [verse 10] And thei seiden, Lo! wee han sent to ȝou mones, of whiche bieth brent sacrifise, and cens, and maketh manaa, and offreth for synne at the auter of the Lord oure God. [verse 11] And preȝeth for the lif of Nabugo|donosor, king of Babiloyne, and for the lif of Balthasar, his sone, that the daȝes of them be as the daȝes of heuene vp on [verse 12] erthe; that the Lord ȝyue vertue to vs, and liȝtne oure eȝen, that wee lyue vnder the shadewe of Nabugodonosor, king of Babiloyne, and vnder the shadewe of Balthasar, his sone; and serue wee to hem manye daȝes, and fynde wee grace in the syȝte of hem. [verse 13] And for vs [oure AGHK.] self preȝeth to the Lord oure God, for wee han synned to the Lord oure God, and turned awei is not his wodnesse fro vs, vn to this dai. [verse 14] And redeth this boc, that wee han sent to ȝou, to be reherced in

the temple of the Lord, in a solempne dai, and in a couenable day [Om. C pr. m.] . [verse 15] And ȝee shul sey, To the Lord oure God riȝtwis|nesse [oure riȝtwisnesse C pr. m.] , to vs forsothe confusioun of oure face, as is this dai to al Juda, and to the [verse 16] dwelleris in Jerusalem, to oure kingus, and to oure princes, to oure prestus, and to oure profetus, and to oure faders. [verse 17] We han synned bifor the Lord oure God, and wee han not leeued, mystrostende [mystrowande AGHK.] in to [Om. E pr. m.] hym. [verse 18] And we wer not soietable `to hym [Om. C pr. m.] , and wee wel herden not the vois of the Lord oure God, that wee shulde go in [verse 19] his maundemens that he ȝaf to vs; fro the dai that he ladde out oure faders fro the lond of Egipt, vn to this dai, we weren mystrowable to the Lord oure God; and scatered we wenten awey, lest wee shulde heren the vois of hym. [verse 20] And ther cleueden to vs many euelis, and cursingus, the whiche the Lord sette to his seruaunt Moises; that ladde out oure faders fro the lond of Egipt, to ȝyue to vs the lond flowende mylc and hony, as in this day. [verse 21] And wee herden not the vois of the Lord oure God, after alle the wrdus of profetus, that he sente to vs, and [verse 22] to oure iugis; and we wenten awey, eche in to [Om. E pr. m.] the wit of oure shreude herte, to werche to alien godus, doende euelus bifor the eȝen of the Lord owre God.

CAP. II.

[verse 1] For whiche thing ordeynede the Lord oure God his wrd, that he spac to vs, and to oure iuges that demeden Jerusa|lem [in Jerusalem AGHK.] , and to oure kingus, and to oure [verse 2] princes, and to al Irael and Juda; that the Lord shulde bringe to vp on vs grete euelis, that ben not do vnder heuene, as ben do in Jerusalem; after that ben write [verse 3] in the lawe of Moises, that a man shulde ete the flesh of his sone, and the flesh of his doȝter. [verse 4] And he ȝaf hem in the hond of alle kingus, that ben in oure cumpas, in to repref, and in to desolacioun in alle

puplis, in whiche scaterede vs the Lord. [verse 5] And wee ben mad vndernethe, and not aboue; for we han synned to the Lord oure God, not wel herende the vois of hym. [verse 6] To the Lord oure God riȝtwis|nesse, to vs forsothe and to oure faders shenshipe of the face, as is this dai. [verse 7] For the Lord spac vp on vs alle these euelis, that camen vp on vs. [verse 8] And wee louli preȝeden not the face of the Lord oure God, that wee shulden turne aȝeen, eche of vs fro oure werst weies. [verse 9] And the Lord woc in euelis, and broȝte them vp on vs; for riȝtwis is the Lord in alle his werkus that he sente to vs. [verse 10] And wee herden not the vois of hym, that we shulde go in the hestes of the Lord, that he ȝaf bifor oure face. [verse 11] And now, Lord God of Irael, that broȝtist out thi puple fro the lond of Egipt in a strong hond, and in signes, and wndris [in wondris AEGK. in thi wondris H sup. ras.] , and in thi grete vertue, and in an hyȝ arm, and madist to thee a name, as is this day; [verse 12] wee han synned, vnpitously wee han born vs, wickeli [wickidly AGHK.] wee han [ha K.] do, Lord oure God, in alle thi riȝtwisnesses. [verse 13] Be turned awey thy wrathe fro vs; for wee ben laft a fewe among Jentilis, wher thou hast scatered vs. [verse 14] Heere, Lord, oure preieeres, and oure orisounus, and bring vs out for thee; and ȝif to vs to finde grace bifor the face of hem, that ladden vs awey; [verse 15] that al erthe wite, for thou art Lord oure God, and for thi name is inwardli clepid vp on Irael, and vp on the kinde of hym. [verse 16] Bihold, Lord, fro thin hoeli hous in to vs, and bowe in thin ere, and ful out here vs. [verse 17] Opene thin eȝen, and see; for not the deade that ben in helle, whos spirit is taken fro [for C.] ther bowelis, shul ȝyue wrshipe and iustefiyng to the [verse 18] Lord; but the soule that is sori vp on the mykilnesse of euel, and goth bowid, and meekid, and the eȝen failende, and the soule hungrende, ȝyueth to thee glorie

and riȝtwisnesse, Lord [to the Lord E pr. m.] . [verse 19] Whiche not after the riȝtwisnesse of oure faders heelden out mercy bifor thi siȝt, Lord oure God; [verse 20] but for thou sentist thi wrathe and thi wodnesse vp on vs, as thou speeke in the hondus of thi childer profetus, seiende, [verse 21] Thus seith the Lord, Bowith doun ȝoure shuldris, and ȝoure nol, and doth trauaile to the king of Babiloyne; and ȝee shul sitte in the lond, that Y ȝaf to ȝoure fa|ders. [verse 22] That if ȝee shul not don, ne here the vois of the Lord oure God, to werche to the king of Babiloyne, ȝoure failing Y shal make fro the cites of Juda, and fro [verse 23] the ȝatus of Jerusalem; and Y shal take awei fro ȝou the vois of merthe [ioȝe C.] , and the [Om. EG.] vois of ioȝe [merthe C.] , and vois of the [Om. G.] man spouse, and vois of the womman spouse; and ben shal al the lond with oute step from the dwelleres in to it. [verse 24] And thei herden not thy vois, that thei shulde wrche to the king of Babiloyne; and thou settedest thi wrdus, that thou speeke in the eres of thi childer profetus, that translatid shulde be the bonus of oure kingus, and the bonus of oure faders fro this place. [verse 25] And lo! thei ben cast forth in the hete of the sunne, and in the frost of the nyȝt; and thei ben dead in werst sorwes, in hunger, and in swerd, and in sending out. [verse 26] And thou settedist thi [the A.] temple, in whiche is inwardli [inward C.] clepid thi name in it, as this dai, for the wickenes [wickidnes AGHK.] of the hous of Irael, and of the hous of Juda. [verse 27] And thou hast don in vs, Lord oure God, after thi goodnesse, and after [verse 28] al that thi grete mercy doing, as thou speeke in the hond of thi child Moises, in the dai that thou comaundedist [comaundist AGHK.] to hym to write thi lawe bifor the sonus of [verse 29] Irael, seiende, If ȝee shul not here my vois, this grete multetude shal be turned in to the leste folc of kinde, for them Y [verse 30] shal scatere; for Y wot, that mee shal

not [no E pr. m.] here the puple. The puple is for|sothe with an hard nol, and shal be turned to his herte, in the lond of his [verse 31] caitifte; and thei schul wite, for Y am the Lord God of hem. And Y shal ȝyue to them an herte, and thei shul vndir|stonde, [verse 32] and eres, and thei shul here. And thei shuln preise me in the lond of ther caitifte, and myndeful thei shul be of my name. [verse 33] And thei shul turnen awei them|self fro ther harde rig, and fro ther cursidhedus; for thei shul remembre the weie of ther fadris, that synneden in me. [verse 34] And Y shal aȝeen clepe hem in to the lond, that Y swor to the fadris of hem, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and thei shul lordshipen of it. And Y shal multeplie them, and thei shul not be lassid. [verse 35] And Y shal sette to them `an other [a A.] testament euere durende, that Y be to them in to a Lord, and thei shul be to me in to a pu|ple. And Y shal no more moue my puple, the sonus of Irael, fro the lond that Y ȝaf to them.

CAP. III.

[verse 1] And now, Lord God of Irael, the soule in anguysshes, and the spirit tormentid crieth to thee. [verse 2] Heere, Lord, and haue [ha K.] mercy; for God thou art merciful. And haue mercy of vs, for wee han synned [verse 3] bifor thee, that sittist in to euermor, and wee shul not pershe in to the spi|rituel during. [verse 4] Lord God al myȝti, God of Irael, here now the orisoun of the deade men of Irael, and of the sonus of hem, for thei han synned bifor thee, and thei herden not the vois of the Lord ther God, and ioyned ben to vs euelis. [verse 5] Wile thou not han [ha K.] mynde of the wickenesse [wickidnes AGHK.] of oure fadris, but haue [ha K.] mynde of thin [verse 6] hond and of thi name in this tyme; for thou art Lord oure God, and wee shul preise thee, Lord. [verse 7] For that thou hast ȝoue thi drede in oure hertes, that wee

inwardli clepe thi name, and preise thee in oure caitifte; for wee shul be turned fro the wickenesse [wickidnes AGHK.] of oure fadris, that synneden in thee. [verse 8] And lo! wee in oure caitifte ben to dai, that vs thou hast scatered, in to repref, and in to cursing, and in to synne, after alle the wickid|nessis [wickenessis E.] of oure fadris, that wenten awei fro thee, Lord oure God. [verse 9] Here thou, Irael, the maundemens of lif; with eres parceyue, that thou wite prudence. [verse 10] What is, Irael, that in the lond of the enemys thou art? [verse 11] Thou hast eldid in an alien lond, thou [Om. E pr. m.] art defoulid with deade men, thou [Om. E pr. m.] art set with men goende doun in to helle? [verse 12] Thou hast forsake the welle [verse 13] of wisdam; for if in the weies of God thou haddest go, thou shuldist han dwell|id forsothe in pes vp on erthe. [verse 14] Lerne, wher be prudence, wher be vertue, wher be vnderstonding, that thou wite togi|dere, wher be long abiding of lyf and of liflode, wher be liȝt of eȝen, and pes [of pese AGHK.] . Who fond his place? [verse 15] who [and who AE sec. m. GHK.] entride in to his tresores? [verse 16] Wher ben the princes of Jentilys, and that lordshipen of bestes, that ben vpon erthe? [verse 17] That in the [verse 18] briddis of heuene pleien; that siluer tre|soren and gold, in whiche trosten men, and ther is noon ende of the purchasing of hem? That siluer forgen, and ben besy, ne ther is finding of the werkus of hem? [verse 19] Thei ben outlawid, and to helle thei wente doun; and othyr men in the place of hem risen. [verse 20] The ȝunge [The Mss. C and E end here. The text in what follows is taken from K.] men of hem sawen liȝt, and dwelten on erth. Sothely thei knewen not the wei of disci|plyne, [verse 21] nether vndirstoden the pathis of it; nether the sones of hem resceyueden it. Fro the face of hem it is maad fer; [verse 22] it is not herd in the lond of Canaan, nether it is seen in Theman. [verse 23] And the sones of Agar, that souȝten out prudence that is of erth, the marchauntis of erth, and Theman, and the [Om. AG.] fablers, or iang|lers

, and seekers out of prudence, and of vnderstondinge; sothely thei knewen not the weie of wysdam, nether hadden mynde of the paathis therof. [verse 24] O! Yrael, hou grete is the hous of God, and hou [verse 25] grete the place of his possessiounn; gret and not hauynge eende, heeȝ and with outen mesure grete. [verse 26] Ther weren named gyauntis; tho that fro the bigynnynge weren in grete stature, witynge bataile. [verse 27] The Lord chese not these, nether thei founden the weie of discipline; therfor thei pershiden. [verse 28] And for thei hadde not wijsdam, thei pershiden for her vnwijs|dam. [verse 29] Who steiȝede in to heuen, and toke it [Om. A.] , and ledde it doun fro cloudis? [verse 30] Who passide ouer the se, and foonde it, and brouȝt it to, vpon chosen gold? [verse 31] Ther is not, that may wite the waies therof, nether that sekith out the pathes therof; [verse 32] bot he that wote alle thingis, knewȝ it, and foond it by his prudence. The whiche maade redy the erth in euerlastynge tyme, and fulfilled it with feeld bestes, and four footid bestis. [verse 33] The whiche send|ith out liȝt, and it goth; and he clepid it, and it obeischide to hym in tremblynge. [verse 34] Forsoth sterris ȝauen liȝt in her keep|yngus, [verse 35] and gladiden; thei ben clepid, and thei seiden, We cummen to; and thei shyneden to hym with mirth, that maad hem. [verse 36] This is our God, and other shal not ben gessid aȝenis hym. [verse 37] He this foonde al weie of disciplyne, and bitoke it to Jacob, his child, and to Yrael, his derworth. [verse 38] After these thingus he was seen in erthis, and lyued with men.

CAP. IV.

[verse 1] This boke of the maundementis of God, and the lawe that is in to with outen eend. Alle men that holden it [beholden A.] , shuln per|fitly cummen to lijf. Forsoth thei that shuln forsake it, in to deth. [verse 2] Jacob, be thou conuertid, and cacche it; walke by

the waye to the shynynge of it, aȝeinus the liȝt of it. [verse 3] Bitake thou not thi glorie to an other, and thi dignitee to alien folk. [verse 4] Yrael, we ben blessid; for what thingus ben plesaunt to God, ben knowen to vs. [verse 5] Thou peple of God, be of euener inwitt, or more stable, thou Yrael, worthi of mynde. [verse 6] Ȝe ben sold to heithen men, not in to perdicioun; bot for that in wrath ȝee terriden God to wrathfulnesse, ȝee ben bitaken to aduersaries. [verse 7] Forsoth ȝee ster|iden to bitternesse the euerlastyng God, that made ȝou; offrynge to deuyls, and not to God. [verse 8] Sothli ȝee han forȝeeten hym that nurishide ȝou, and ȝee han maad sorewful Jerusalem, ȝour nurshe. [verse 9] Sotheli it sawe wrathfulnesse of God cummynge to ȝou; and saide, Ȝee niȝ coostis of Syon, heere; forsothe God brouȝt to me grete mournynge. [verse 10] Forsoth I seeȝ the caitifte of my peple, of my sones and douȝtris, whiche the euerlast|ynge aboue brouȝte to hem. [verse 11] Sotheli I nurishide hem with mirthe; forsothe I left hem with weepynge and mournynge. [verse 12] No man haue ioye vp on me, widue and desolate. I am left, or forsaken, of manye, for the synnes of my sones; for thei bow|iden awei fro the lawe of God. [verse 13] Forsoth thei wisten not the riȝtwisnesse of hym; nether walkiden [thei walkiden AGH.] bi weies of the heestis of God, ne [neithir G sec. m.] bi the paathis of treuthe of hym thei entreden with riȝtwisnesse. [verse 14] Cum the niȝ coostis of Syon, and bi|thenke thei the caitiftee of my sones and douȝtris, the whiche the euerlast|ynge aboue brouȝte to hem. [verse 15] Forsoth he brouȝte vpon hem a folc fro fer, a folc vnsaciable, or vnrestful, and of an other [verse 16] tunge; whiche dredden not with reuer|ence an olde man, nether hadden mercy of children; and ledden aweie the sones of widue, and maaden desolat the aloon womman fro sonys. [verse 17] Forsoth what may I help ȝou? [verse 18] Forsothe he that broȝte euyl

thingus vpon ȝou, shal delyuere ȝou fro the hondis of ȝour enmyes [enemye A.] . [verse 19] Wandre ȝee, sones, wandre [wandreth G sec. m.] ; I sothli am forsaken aloon. [verse 20] I haue vnclothide me the stole of pese; forsothe I clothide me with sak of bisechynge, and I shal crie to the bihest [heeȝest G sec. m.] in my days. [verse 21] Sones, be ȝee of betir herte, or stabler; crie ȝee to the Lord, and he shal delyuere ȝou fro the hond of princes, enmyes. [verse 22] Sotheli I hopide in to with outen eend ȝour helth, and ioye came to me of the holy vpon mercye, that shal cum to ȝou of ȝour saueour euerlastynge. [verse 23] Forsoth I sent ȝou out with mournyng and weepynge; forsoth God shal aȝein lede ȝou to me with ioye and mirthe in to with outen eende. [verse 24] Sotheli as the neiȝ|bores of Syon sawen ȝour caitifte of God, so thei shuln see and in hast ȝour helth of God, that shal aboue cum to ȝou with grete honour in euerlastyng shynynge. [verse 25] Sones, suffre ȝe pacientli the wrath, that aboue commith to ȝou; forsoth thin en|mye pursuede thee, bot sone thou shalt see perdicioun of hym, and vpon the nollis of hym thou shalt steiȝ vp. [verse 26] My delicatis, or nurshid in delicis, walkiden sharp weies; sotheli thei weren led as a floc rauyshide with enmyes. [verse 27] Sones, be ȝee of euener herte, or stabler, and afer crie ȝee to the Lord; sotheli ȝour mynde shal be of hym that ledith ȝou. [verse 28] Forsoth as ȝour witt was for to erre fro God, eft sone tenn so myche ȝee conuertyng shuln `aȝen seeken [seeken K.] hym. [verse 29] Forsothe he that ledde in to ȝou euyl thingus, shal brynge eft sone to ȝou myrthe euerlastynge with ȝour helth. [verse 30] Jerusalem, be thou more stable, or of better herte; sotheli he that namede thee, monestith thee. [verse 31] Thei that traueiliden thee, shuln apeere noyinge, or gilty; and thei that thankiden [or ioyeden G marg.] in thi fall|yng, shuln be punyshide. [verse 32] The citees to whom thi sones seruyden, shuln be pu|nishid, and it that toke thi sones. [verse 33] So|theli as it ioyide in thi fallyng, and glad|dide

in thi caas, or tribulacioun, so it shal be sorewful in his desolacion. [verse 34] And the mirth with outen forth of multitude therof shal be kitt aweye, and the ioye of it shal be in to mournyng. [verse 35] Forsoth fijr shal aboue cum to it of the euerlast|yng, and longe duyrynge days; and it shal be enhabitid of deuylis, in to mychil|nesse of tyme. [verse 36] Jerusalem, beholde aboute to the eest, and see the myrthe cummynge to thee of God.

CAP. V.

[verse 37] Loo! forsoth thi sones cummen, whom thou leftist scaterid; thei gadrid cum|men to thee fro the eest vn to the [Om. A.] west in the word of the holy, ioying in to honour of God. [verse 1] Jerusalem, vnclothe thee the stoole of mournynge, and of thi tra|ueile; and clothe thee with fairnesse, and honour of it, that is to thee of God in euerlastynge glorie. [verse 2] Forsoth God shal enuyroun thee with double clothe of riȝt|wisnesse, and shal putte to thin heued a mytre of euerlastynge honoure. [verse 3] Forsoth God shal shewe in thee his shynynge, that is vndir heuen. [verse 4] Sotheli thi name shal be named to thee of God in to with outen eend, Peese of riȝtwisnesse, and honour of pitee. [verse 5] Jerusalem, rijse vp, and stoonde in heeȝ, and biholde aboute to the eest; and see thi sones gaderid fro the sune, rijsinge vn to the west in the word of the holy, ioyinge in the mynde of God. [verse 6] Forsoth thei wenten out fro thee, led in feet of enmyes; forsoth the Lord shal brenge to thee hem born in to honour, as the sonnys of kyngdam. [verse 7] For|soth God ordeynyde for to meek eche heeȝ hill, and euerlastynge rooches, and for to fulfille the euen valeys in to the euenesse of erthe; that Yrael walke dili|gentli in to honour of God. [verse 8] Sothely woddis and eche tree of swetnesse of Israel shadewiden, or obeiden [obeischiden H.] , to the maundement of God. [verse 9] Forsoth God shal

leede to Yrael with myrthe in the liȝt of his maiestee, with mercy and riȝtwis|nesse, that is in hym.

[Heer begynneth ensaumple [the ensaumple G.] of the same pistle, whiche [the whiche A.] Jeremye sente to the caitifs led aweie in to Babiloyne, of the kyng `of men [Om. A.] of Babiloyne, that he shulde shewe to hem, after that it is comaundid to him of God.] CAP. VI.

[verse 1] For the synnes that ȝee synnyden befor God, ȝe shuln be led caitifs in to Babi|loyne, of Nabugodonosor, kyng of men of [Om. K.] Babiloyne. [verse 2] And so ȝe gon in to Ba|biloyne shuln be there ful many ȝeris, and in to longe tyme, vnto seuen genera|cions; forsoth after this I shal lede out ȝou thennis [ȝennis K.] with peese. [verse 3] Now forsoth ȝe shuln see in Babiloyne golden goddis, and silueren, and stonen, and treen [treenen GHK.] , for to be born in shuldris, shewinge drede to folkis. [verse 4] Therfor see ȝee, lest and ȝee be maad liche to alien dedis, and ȝee dreede, and that drede take ȝou in hem. [verse 5] And so the cumpanye of peple seen fro bihynde and fro bifore wirshipynge, saye in ȝour hertis, Lord God, it byhouith thee for to be worshipid. [verse 6] Forsoth myn aungel is with ȝou, forsoth I my self shal seeke out ȝour soules. [verse 7] For whi the trees of hem polishid of a carpenter; thei also engoldid and ensiluered ben false, and mown not speke. [verse 8] And as to a mayden louynge ournementis, so gold takyn, thei ben forgid. [verse 9] Certeynli the goddis of hem han golden crownes vpon her hedis; wher|of prestis drawen aweie fro hem gold and syluer, and ȝeuen, or spenden, it in hem self. [verse 10] Forsoth and of it thei ȝeuen to pute [the putt AGH.] in [in to G sec. m.] bordel house, and ournen hooris; and eft sone when thei han resceyued it of hooris, thei ournen her goddis. [verse 11] So|thely

these ben not delyuerd fro rust and mouȝthe. [verse 12] Forsoth hem couered with clothe of purpre, thei shuln wijpe the face of hem, for [fro A.] dust of the hous, that is ful myche amonge hem. [verse 13] Forsothe thei han a ceptre, or kyngis ȝerd, as a man; as a iuge of a cuntree, that sleath not the synnynge in to hym. [verse 14] Forsoth thei han also in the hond swerd and axe; forsoth thei deliueren [delyuereden A.] not hem self fro bataile and day theues. Wher of be it knowen to [verse 15] ȝou, for thei ben not goddis; therfor wor|shipe ȝe not hem. Sotheli as a [the A.] vessel of a man broken is maad vnprofitable, siche ben the goddis of hem. [verse 16] Hem sett to gidir in an hous, the eeȝen of hem ben ful of dust of the feet of men entrynge in. [verse 17] And as to sum man that offendith the kyng, the ȝatis ben sette aboute, and as dead [a dead AGH.] man led to sepulcre, so prestes oft kepen the dores with closingis and lockis, lest thei be robbed of day theues. [verse 18] Thei teenden launterns to hem, and so|theli manye, of whom thei mown noon see; forsoth thei ben as bemes in the hous. [verse 19] Sotheli serpentis that ben of the erthe, ben sayd to licke out the hertis of hem; the while thei eeten hem, and the clothing of hem, and thei feelen not. [verse 20] The faces of hem ben blac of smoke, that is maad in the hous. [verse 21] Aboue the bodi of hem, and aboue the hed of hem backis, or reremijse, and swalewis fleeȝen, and briddis also, and also cattis. [verse 22] Wher of wite ȝee, for thei ben not goddis; therfor ȝee shuln not drede hem. [verse 23] Also the gold that thei han, is to fairnesse; no bot eny man shal wijpe awei the rust, thei shuln not shyne. Forsothe nether the whijle thei weren ȝooten to gidir, thei feeliden. [verse 24] Thei ben bouȝt of al pris, in whiche thingus spirit is not in hem. [verse 25] With outen feet thei ben born in shuldris, shewynge her vnnobley to men; also be thei con|foundid that wurshipen hem. [verse 26] Therfor

ȝif thei shuln falle in to erthe, of hem self thei shuln not rijse to gyder; nether ȝif eny man shal sette hym riȝt, by hym self he shal stonde, bot as to dead men shuldris shuln be putte to hem. [verse 27] The prestes of hem sellen the hoostis, or sacrifices, of hem, and mysusen; also and the wymmen of hem takynge aweie, nether parten to seeke man, nether to beggynge. [verse 28] Of the sacrifices of hem wym|men with chijlde, and menstruat, or in vncleene blode, touchen togyder. And so witynge of these thingis, for thei ben not goddis, dreed ȝee hem not. [verse 29] Forsoth wherof ben thei clepid goddis? For wym|men putten to golden goddis, sylueren, [verse 30] and treenen [treen A.] ; and in the housis of hem sitten prestis hauyng torne, or kutt, cootis, and hedis and berd shauen, whos hedis ben nakid. [verse 31] Forsoth thei roren cry|inge aȝeins her goddis, as in the super of a dead man. [verse 32] Prestis taken awei the clothingus of hem, and clothen her wijues, and her sones. Nether ȝif thei suffren eny [verse 33] thing of euyl of eny man, nether ȝif eny thinge of good, thei shuln mowe ȝeelde. Nether thei mown make a kyng, nether do aweie. [verse 34] Also nether thei [Om. A.] mown ȝeue ricchessis, nether ȝeeld euyll thing. Ȝif eny man shal avowe to hem, and shal not ȝeelde, nether thei requyren, or axen, this thing. [verse 35] Thei delyueren not a man fro deth, nether delyueren a seeke man fro a more miȝti. [verse 36] Thei restoren not a blynde man to siȝt; thei shuln not dely|uere a man fro neede. [verse 37] Thei shuln not haue mercye of the wydue, nether thei shuln do weel to the fadrelesse and mo|drelesse. [verse 38] The treenen goddis of hem, and stoonen, and golden, and sylueren, ben lijc to stoonys of the mounteyn; for|soth thei that worshipen hem, shuln be confoundid. [verse 39] Hou therfore is it to be gessid, or to [Om. A.] be saide, hem for to be [verse 40] goddis; ȝit the ylk Caldeis not honour|ynge

hem? Whiche whan thei shuln heere the doumbe not to [Om. A.] mowe speke, offren hym to Bel, axinge of hym for to speke; [verse 41] as thei mown feele, whiche han not mou|ynge. And thei whanne thei shuln vndir|stonde, shuln forsake hem; sothely the ilke goddis of hem han not witt. [verse 42] For|soth wymmen ȝouen aboute, or bounden, with coordis sitten in weyes, brennynge boonys of olyues. [verse 43] Forsoth whann eny of hem drawen aweye of eny man passinge hath slept, she dispisith hir neiȝbore, for she is not had worthi as sche, nether hir coord is broken. [verse 44] Forsoth alle thingis that ben don to hem, ben fals. Hou is it to be [Om. K.] gessid, or to be said, hem for [Om. A.] to be goddis? [verse 45] Forsoth of carpenteres and goldsmithis thei ben maad. Thei shuln noon other thing be, no bot the ylk that prestis wolen for to be. [verse 46] Also thilk gold|smyththis that maken hem, ben not of myche tyme; therfor whether the thingus that ben maad of hem mown be goddis? [verse 47] Forsoth thei leften fals thingus, and shen|shipe to men to cummynge after. [verse 48] For whi whenne bataile shal aboue cum to hem, and euyl thingis, prestis thenken, where thei shuln hijde hem self with hem. [verse 49] Therfore how own thei for to be feelid, or demyd, for thei ben goddis, whiche nether delyueren hem fro batail, nether delyueren hem fro euyl thingis? [verse 50] For whi whenne thei ben treenen, and stoonen, and engoldid, and ensyluered, it shal ben wist afterward, for thei ben fals, to alle folkis and kyngis; whiche ben open, or knowen, for thei ben not goddis, bot werkis of mennus hondis, and no werc of God with hem. [verse 51] Wher of therfor it is knowen, for thei ben not goddis, bot werkis of mennus hondis, and no werk of God is in hem. [verse 52] Thei reisen not a kyng to a cuntree, nether thei shuln ȝeue reyn to men. [verse 53] Also thei shul not dis|cryue, or iuge, a dome, nether thei shuln

delyuere a cuntree fro wronge. [verse 54] For thei mown no thing, as litil crowis bitwix the mydil of heuen and erthe. And so|theli whenne fijre shal fal in to the house of treenen goddis, and golden, and sil|ueren, sotheli the prestis of hem shuln flee, and shuln be delyuered; bot thei as bemys in the mydil shuln be brent. [verse 55] For|soth thei shuln not aȝeinstonde a kyng and batail. Hou therfore is it to be gessid, or to be resceyued, for thei ben goddis? [verse 56] Thei shul not delyuere hem self fro niȝt theeues, nether day theeues, treenen goddis, and stoonen, and engoldid, and ensiluered, than whiche wickid men ben strenger. [verse 57] Thei shuln take awei fro hem gold, and syluer, and clothing, in whiche thei ben couered, and thei shuln go aweie; nether thei beren help to hem self. [verse 58] And so it is beter a kyng for to be shewynge his vertue, or a profitable ves|selle in the house, in whom he shal glorie that weeldith it, than fals goddis; or a dore in the house, whiche kepith the thingis that ben in it, than fals goddis. [verse 59] Sothely the sunne, and mone, and sterris, whenne thei ben shynynge, and sent out to profitis, obeyen. [verse 60] Also and leyt [the leyt GH.] , whanne it shal apeere, is cleer [cleer, or liȝte GHK pr. m.] . Forsoth the same thinge and spirit, or wynd, brethith in eche cuntre. [verse 61] And cloudis, to whiche when it shal be comaundid of God for to walke thorou al the world, don what thing is comaundid to hem. [verse 62] Also fijr sente fro aboue, that it waast hillis and woddis, doth what thing is comaundid to it; for|soth these nether in lickenesse nether vertues ben liche to oon of hem. [verse 63] Wher of nether it is to be gessid, nether to be said, hem for to be goddis, whenne thei mown nether deeme dome, nether do to men. [verse 64] And so witynge for thei ben not goddis, therfor ȝee shuln not dreden hem. [verse 65] Sotheli nether thei shuln curse kyngis, nether thei shuln blesse. [verse 66] Forsoth thei

shewen not to folkis tokenis in heuen, nether thei shuln shyne as sunne, nether liȝtene as the mone. [verse 67] Bestis ben better than thei, whiche mown flee vndir a roof, and profit to hem self. [verse 68] And so by no manere it is knowen to ȝow, for thei ben goddis. For whiche thing drede ȝee not hem. [verse 69] For whi as dreed in place where cucumeris, that ben bitter herbis, waxen, kepith no thing, so ben the tree|nen goddis, and sylueren, and goldid of hem. [verse 70] In the same manere and in a ȝerd a whijt thorn, vpon whiche eche bridde sittith, also and to a dead thing cast in derckenesses, the treenen godus of hem, and ensiluered, and engoldid, ben lijc. [verse 71] And of the purpre and marble, that thei holden aboue hem, ȝee [we GH.] shuln wite also, for [Om. H.] thei ben no goddis. Also at the last thei hem self ben eten, and it shal be in to repreue in the cuntre. [verse 72] Betir is an iust [vniust AGHK pr. m.] man, that hath not symylacris, for whi he shal be fer fro shenshipes.

Here endith the boke of Baruch, and now bigynneth the boke of Ezechiel, the prophete [From A. No final rubric in GHK.] .