1.耶利米书信 是耶利米写给那些将被巴比伦王带到巴比伦去当俘虏的人的一封信的副本，目的是将上帝命令他传达的信息传给他们。The Letter of Jeremiah A copy of a letter which Jeremiah sent to those who were to be taken to Babylon as captives by the king of the Babylonians, to give them the message which God had commanded him.
2.由于你们在神面前所犯的罪，你们将被巴比伦王尼布甲尼撒带到巴比伦作为俘虏，面临长期的俘虏生活。The People Face a Long Captivity Because of the sins which you have committed before God, you will be taken to Babylon as captives by Nebuchadnez′zar, king of the Babylonians.
3.因此你们到了巴比伦，就要长久地住在那里，直到七代，之后我要带领你们平平安安地从那里离开。Therefore when you have come to Babylon you will remain there for many years, for a long time, up to seven generations; after that I will bring you away from there in peace.
4.现在在巴比伦，你将会看见用银子、金子和木头做成的神像，它们被抬在人的肩上，令外邦人敬畏。Now in Babylon you will see gods made of silver and gold and wood, which are carried on men’s shoulders and inspire fear in the heathen.
5.所以要谨慎，不要像这些外邦人，也不要因他们的神而害怕，当你看见他们前后有许多人敬拜他们的时候。So take care not to become at all like the foreigners or to let fear for these gods possess you, when you see the multitude before and behind them worshiping them.
6.然而要心中说：“唯独你，主啊，我们必须敬拜。”But say in your heart, “It is thou, O Lord, whom we must worship.”
7.因为我的使者与你同在，他也观察着你们的生活。For my angel is with you, and he is watching your lives.
8.偶像的无能 为他们的舌头是由工匠抹平的，他们自己也被金银包裹着，但他们是虚假的，不能说话。The Helplessness of Idols Their tongues are smoothed by the craftsman, and they themselves are overlaid with gold and silver; but they are false and cannot speak.
9.人们拿金子为他们的神做冠冕，就像为爱好装饰的女孩一样；People take gold and make crowns for the heads of their gods, as they would for a girl who loves ornaments;
10.有时祭司会暗中从他们的神像那里取走金银，并将其用于自己的开支，and sometimes the priests secretly take gold and silver from their gods and spend it upon themselves,
11.甚至将其中的一部分给了妓院里的娼妓。他们用像男人一样的衣服装饰他们的神——这些银的、金的和木头的神，and even give some of it to the harlots in the brothel. They deck their gods out with garments like men—these gods of silver and gold and wood,
12.它们无法自救于锈蚀和腐朽。当它们被穿上紫色长袍时，which cannot save themselves from rust and corrosion. When they have been dressed in purple robes,
13.他们的脸都被擦拭干净，因为圣殿里的尘土厚厚地附着在他们身上。their faces are wiped because of the dust from the temple, which is thick upon them.
14.这位神像当地的统治者一样握着权杖，尽管无法毁灭任何冒犯它的人。Like a local ruler the god holds a scepter, though unable to destroy any one who offends it.
15.它右手握着匕首，还拿着斧头，但它无法从战争和强盗中拯救自己。It has a dagger in its right hand, and has an axe; but it cannot save itself from war and robbers.
16.他们明显不是神，所以不要怕他们。Therefore they evidently are not gods; so do not fear them.
17.就像一个破碎的器皿毫无用处一样，外邦人的神像在庙宇中也是毫无用处的，它们的眼睛被进入的人脚下扬起的尘土所充满。For just as one’s dish is useless when it is broken, so are the gods of the heathen, when they have been set up in the temples. Their eyes are full of the dust raised by the feet of those who enter.
18.就像城门从四面八方封锁一个得罪了国王的人，好像他被判了死刑一样，祭司们用门、锁和横木把他们的庙宇封锁得严严实实，目的就是为了防止强盗来抢劫。And just as the gates are shut on every side upon a man who has offended a king, as though he were sentenced to death, so the priests make their temples secure with doors and locks and bars, in order that they may not be plundered by robbers.
19.他们点燃灯，比为自己点的还多，尽管他们的神灵一个也看不到。They light lamps, even more than they light for themselves, though their gods can see none of them.
20.他们就像庙里的梁木一样，但人却说他们的心都消化了，当地上的虫子吞吃他们和他们的衣服的时候，他们却没有察觉They are just like a beam of the temple, but men say their hearts have melted, when worms from the earth devour them and their robes. They do not notice
21.当他们的脸被庙宇的烟雾玷黑时。when their faces have been blackened by the smoke of the temple.
22.蝙蝠、燕子和鸟儿落在他们的身体和头上，猫也是如此。Bats, swallows, and birds light on their bodies and heads; and so do cats.
23.从这你就知道他们不是神，所以不必怕他们。From this you will know that they are not gods; so do not fear them.
24.至于他们为美所戴的金子，若不揩去其上的污秽，金子就不会发光；当金子正在锻造的时候，它们也没有感觉。As for the gold which they wear for beauty—they will not shine unless some one wipes off the rust; for even when they were being cast, they had no feeling.
25.他们不惜一切代价购买，但他们没有气息。They are bought at any cost, but there is no breath in them.
26.没有脚，他们被人扛在肩上，向人类揭示他们的无用。Having no feet, they are carried on men’s shoulders, revealing to mankind their worthlessness.
27.那些侍奉偶像的人都感到羞耻，因为他们所侍奉的偶像是被制作出来的，若不支撑就必倒地。若有人把偶像立起来，它就不能自己移动；若它倒下，就不能自己直立；但在偶像面前还是摆上祭物，好像是在死人面前一样。And those who serve them are ashamed because through them these gods are made to stand, lest they fall to the ground. If any one sets one of them upright, it cannot move itself; and if it is tipped over, it cannot straighten itself; but gifts are placed before them just as before the dead.
28.这些祭司将献给这些神的祭品出售，然后使用所得的钱；同样，他们的妻子也会用盐保存一些祭品，但不给予穷人或无依无靠的人。The priests sell the sacrifices that are offered to these gods and use the money; and likewise their wives preserve some with salt, but give none to the poor or helpless.
29.他们的祭物可能被月经不洁的妇女或分娩的妇女所触碰。由于你从这些事中知道他们不是神，所以不要害怕他们。Sacrifices to them may be touched by women in menstruation or at childbirth. Since you know by these things that they are not gods, do not fear them.
30.他们为何被称为神呢？女人为银神、金神和木神备饭；For why should they be called gods? Women serve meals for gods of silver and gold and wood;
31.在他们的庙宇中，祭司们坐在那里，衣服撕裂，头发和胡须剃光，头部赤露。and in their temples the priests sit with their clothes rent, their heads and beards shaved, and their heads uncovered.
32.他们在神前号啕大哭，好像有人在办丧宴，哀悼死去的人一样。They howl and shout before their gods as some do at a funeral feast for a man who has died.
33.祭司们取他们神像的衣服给他们的妻子和孩子穿。The priests take some of the clothing of their gods to clothe their wives and children.
34.无论对他们做好事还是做坏事，他们都不能报答。他们不能立王，也不能废王。Whether one does evil to them or good, they will not be able to repay it. They cannot set up a king or depose one.
35.同样，他们也不能给予财富或金钱；如果有人向他们许愿而不兑现，他们也不会要求兑现。Likewise they are not able to give either wealth or money; if one makes a vow to them and does not keep it, they will not require it.
36.他们不能救人脱离死亡，也不能救弱者脱离强者。They cannot save a man from death or rescue the weak from the strong.
37.他们不能使盲人看见，也不能救拔困苦的人。They cannot restore sight to a blind man; they cannot rescue a man who is in distress.
38.他们不能可怜寡妇，也不能对孤儿行善。They cannot take pity on a widow or do good to an orphan.
39.这些是用木头做成并用金银包裹的，好像从山上取来的石头一样，侍奉它们的人将会蒙羞。These things that are made of wood and overlaid with gold and silver are like stones from the mountain, and those who serve them will be put to shame.
40.为什么有人要认为他们是神，或称他们为神呢？拜偶像的愚蠢何况连迦勒底人自己也轻视他们；Why then must any one think that they are gods, or call them gods? The Foolishness of Worshiping Idols Besides, even the Chalde′ans themselves dishonor them;
41.因为当他们看见一个哑巴，不能说话的人时，他们就把他带来，祷告贝尔，求贝尔使那人能够说话，好像贝尔能够听懂一样。for when they see a dumb man, who cannot speak, they bring him and pray Bel that the man may speak, as though Bel were able to understand.
42.然而他们自己却不能觉悟而放弃它们，因为他们没有悟性。Yet they themselves cannot perceive this and abandon them, for they have no sense.
43.那些妇女用绳子束腰，坐在通道旁，焚烧麸皮作为香；当她们中的一人被路人带走，与之同寝后，她就会讥笑旁边的妇女，因为那妇女没有自己漂亮，自己的绳子也没有被解开。And the women, with cords about them, sit along the passageways, burning bran for incense; and when one of them is led off by one of the passers-by and is lain with, she derides the woman next to her, because she was not as attractive as herself and her cord was not broken.
44.他们所做的一切都是虚假的。那么，为什么有人要认为他们是神，或称他们为神呢？Whatever is done for them is false. Why then must any one think that they are gods, or call them gods?
45.它们是由木匠和金匠制作的，它们只能成为工匠希望它们成为的样子。They are made by carpenters and goldsmiths; they can be nothing but what the craftsmen wish them to be.
46.造他们的人自己必不能长久，怎能使他们所造的成为神呢？The men that make them will certainly not live very long themselves; how then can the things that are made by them be gods?
47.他们只为后来者留下了谎言和羞辱。They have left only lies and reproach for those who come after.
48.当战争或灾难降临到他们身上时，祭司们会商量，想办法把自己和他们的神隐藏起来。For when war or calamity comes upon them, the priests consult together as to where they can hide themselves and their gods.
49.那么，怎么会看不出这些不是神，因为它们连自己都无法从战争或灾祸中拯救出来呢？How then can one fail to see that these are not gods, for they cannot save themselves from war or calamity?
50.由于它们是由木头制成并镀上金银，所以以后就会知道它们是假的。Since they are made of wood and overlaid with gold and silver, it will afterward be known that they are false.
51.这将显明于所有的国家和君王，他们不是神，而是人手所做的工作，并且他们中没有神的作为。It will be manifest to all the nations and kings that they are not gods but the work of men’s hands, and that there is no work of God in them.
52.谁能不知道他们不是神呢？Who then can fail to know that they are not gods?
53.因为他们不能为某地立王，也不能为人降雨。For they cannot set up a king over a country or give rain to men.
54.他们不能为自己辩护，也不能救助受冤者，因为他们没有力量，他们像天地之间的乌鸦一样。They cannot judge their own cause or deliver one who is wronged, for they have no power; they are like crows between heaven and earth.
55.当火烧到木制的金银装饰的偶像时，它的祭司会逃跑而去，偶像却会被烧成两段，如同木梁一般。When fire breaks out in a temple of wooden gods overlaid with gold or silver, their priests will flee and escape, but the gods will be burnt in two like beams.
56.况且，他们无法对抗王或任何敌人。那么，为什么有人必须承认或认为他们是神呢？Besides, they can offer no resistance to a king or any enemies. Why then must any one admit or think that they are gods?
57.用木头做成并用银子和金子包裹的神不能从小偷和强盗手中救自己。Gods made of wood and overlaid with silver and gold are not able to save themselves from thieves and robbers.
58.强壮的人会夺去他们的金银和他们穿的衣服，并带着这些战利品离开，他们将无法自救。Strong men will strip them of their gold and silver and of the robes they wear, and go off with this booty, and they will not be able to help themselves.
59.宁可做一个表现出勇气的国王，或是一个满足主人需要的家用器具，也不愿做这些假神；宁可做一扇保护室内东西的房门，也不愿做这些假神；宁可做宫殿里的一根木柱，也不愿做这些假神。So it is better to be a king who shows his courage, or a household utensil that serves its owner’s need, than to be these false gods; better even the door of a house that protects its contents, than these false gods; better also a wooden pillar in a palace, than these false gods.
60.日月星辰，发光并服侍，都是顺服的。For sun and moon and stars, shining and sent forth for service, are obedient.
61.闪电一闪就能被远远看到，风也一样吹遍全地。So also the lightning, when it flashes, is widely seen; and the wind likewise blows in every land.
62.当上帝命令云朵覆盖全世界时，它们执行他的命令。When God commands the clouds to go over the whole world, they carry out his command.
63.从上而来的火能烧毁山林，按照命令去行事。但这些偶像在形态和权能上都不及它们。And the fire sent from above to consume mountains and woods does what it is ordered. But these idols are not to be compared with them in appearance or power.
64.因此，不要认为他们是神，也不要称他们为神，因为他们既不能审判案件，也不能为人做好事。Therefore one must not think that they are gods nor call them gods, for they are not able either to decide a case or to do good to men.
65.既然你们知道他们不是神，就不要害怕他们。Since you know then that they are not gods, do not fear them.
66.因为他们不能对君王施加咒诅或祝福；For they can neither curse nor bless kings;
67.他们不能在天上和万国中显出神迹，也不能像太阳一样光辉照耀，或像月亮一样发光。they cannot show signs in the heavens and among the nations, or shine like the sun or give light like the moon.
68.野兽比他们强，因为野兽可以逃到洞里自救。The wild beasts are better than they are, for they can flee to cover and help themselves.
69.所以我们完全没有证据证明他们是神，所以不要害怕他们。So we have no evidence whatever that they are gods; therefore do not fear them.
70.像黄瓜地里的稻草人一样什么也守不住，他们的木偶神用金银包裹也是这样。Like a scarecrow in a cucumber bed, that guards nothing, so are their gods of wood, overlaid with gold and silver.
71.同样，他们用金银包裹的木偶像，好像园中的一根荆棘，各样的鸟都可以栖息在上面；或者像被抛弃在黑暗中的一具死尸。In the same way, their gods of wood, overlaid with gold and silver, are like a thorn bush in a garden, on which every bird sits; or like a dead body cast out in the darkness.
72.他们穿的紫色和细麻布都会腐烂，你就知道他们不是神，他们终究会自己被毁灭，并且在那地上成为羞辱。By the purple and linen that rot upon them you will know that they are not gods; and they will finally themselves be consumed, and be a reproach in the land.
73.因此，一个没有偶像的义人更好，因为他远离责备。Better therefore is a just man who has no idols, for he will be far from reproach.