Not for safe-keeping for awhile, –
For the altar, not donation, –
For the fire, the fire, its oblation
Rapt Israel brought in times gone by!
And pleasing to Jehovah’s nostrils
Was smoke from sacrificial fires,
Because a consecrated offering
In truth, can not be taken back…
You, pastors of the flocks of Christ,
Merchants with a priestly ranking!
What is your gift? A simple price:
Deposit and withdrawal banking!
And Israel, your ancient torch
Shall shine above the world again,
The cross atop the church is stained
And God is clearly not within!
Не на храненье до поры, —
На жертвенник, а не в копилку, —
В огонь, в огонь Израиль пылкий
Издревле нес свои дары!
И дымный жертвенный пожар
Ноздрям Господним был приятен,
Затем, что посвященный дар
Поистине был безвозвратен...
Вы, пастыри Христовых стад,
Купцы с апостольской осанкой!
Что ваша жертва? Только вклад:
Внесли и вынули из банка!
И оттого твой древний свет
Над миром всходит вновь, Израиль,
Что крест над церковью истаял
И в этой церкви Бога нет!
«He did not lie — the ghost, so sad and thoughtful, / That from a star took his name by a chance, / When he had said, “Don’t fear the Lord”, to us, / “Just try the fruit and be like Him immortal”. All routs for youths were opened in glow, / And all forbidden works – for older ...»
«That sad-strict spirit then did not dissemble – / The one who called himself the morning star – / When uttered he: “Fear not the highest’s bar, / Just eat the fruit, and you’ll the gods resemble.” To young men then all highways stretched before them, / And old men were relieved ...»
«He didn’t deceive us, that sad, somber spirit / Who wears the morning star as pseudonym / And said: “Shun not the highest gain, nor fear it: / Taste of the fruit and you will equal Him.” Instantly, for the youth, all roads lay open, / And for old men, all mysteries to know, / And to...»
«He told us no lies, that harsh spirit with sad / eyes and the morning star's name: / he said, "Don't worry about Heaven's vengeance; / eat of the fruit and be like gods." Young men can go anywhere, now, / old men can do anything, / and girls have / amber fruit and unicorns white as snow...»