The Distinction of Humanity
For even from the worshipped animals they named the cities; and it is said among them to be Dogs and Sheep and Wolves and Lions. But after all these things he brings forward the human race. Bless, he says, O sons of men, the Lord (Psalm 146:1).
Lastly the human race is arranged, not according to its worth, but because of the creation. Bless, O Israel, the Lord (Psalm 135:1). Which was an exceptional race of the men upon the earth, this indeed he brings forward, and so many differences he sets out within the nation, and he brings forward the priests of the Lord for the reproof of the priests of the false gods. He says then: Slaves of the Lord.
Then, so that those who preceded this dance might not be counted as strangers by those living, they count them before God, saying: Bless, spirits and souls of the righteous, the Lord; then, O holy ones and humble in heart, the Lord (Luke 1:46-47). Why are there holy ones and humble ones?
Greek
ὅτι καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν προσκυνουμένων ζώων καὶ τὰς πόλεις ὠνόμασαν· καὶ λέγεται παρ' αὐτοῖς Κυνῶν καὶ Προβάτων καὶ Λύκων καὶ Λεόντων. Ἀλλὰ μετὰ ταῦτα πάντα παράγεται λοιπὸν τὸ ἀνθρώπινον γένος. Εὐλογεῖτε, φησὶν, υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, τὸν Κύριον. Τελευταῖον τάσσεται τὸ ἀνθρώπινον γένος, οὐ κατὰ τὴν ἀξίαν, ἀλλὰ διὰ τὴν δημιουργίαν. Εὐλογεῖτε, Ἰσραὴλ, τὸν Κύριον. Ὅπερ ἦν τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀνθρώπων ἐξαίρετον γένος, τοῦτο τοίνυν παράγει, καὶ τὸ τηνικαῦτα ἐν τῷ ἔθνει πολλὰς ἐκτίθεται διαφορὰς, καὶ παράγει τοὺς ἱερέας τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς ἔλεγχον τῶν ἱερέων τῶν ψευδωνύμων θεῶν. Εἶτά φησι· ∆οῦ56.599 λοι Κυρίου. Εἶτα ἵνα μὴ δόξωσιν οἱ προελθόντες ταύτης τῆς χορείας ἀλλότριοι εἶναι, μετὰ τῶν ζώντων αὐτοὺς ἀριθμοῦσι παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ, λέγοντες· Εὐλογεῖτε, πνεύματα καὶ ψυχαὶ τῶν δικαίων, τὸν Κύριον· εἶτα, Ὅσιοι καὶ ταπεινοὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ, τὸν Κύριον. ∆ιὰ τί ὁσίων καὶ ταπεινῶν
About this text
The three young men in the furnace: defying a king, unharmed by fire, singing in the flames.
Catalogue & scope
Khazarzar scan
Witnesses
- Copy-text PG 65 (Khazarzar) (Greek)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.