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Origen Fragment

Posted: January 13th, 2024, 2:03 am
by Bunny7
Hello, I have a question about the exact translation of a passage of one of Origen’s fragments on the gospel of Matthew. The passage is a little difficult, so even though I have a good idea of what he’s saying, I just want to make sure my translation is correct. Here is the passage:

Δεῖ τοίνυν μὴ μακροὺς ἀναλίσκειν λόγο‹υ›ς,531 ἀλλὰ τοῖς αὐτοῖς κεχρῆσθαι ῥήμασι συχνῶς, μηδὲ μακρὰς ποιεῖσθαι τὰς εὐχάς, οὐχὶ τῷ χρόνῳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ μήκει καὶ πλήθει τῶν λεγομένων. Παραμένειν μὲν γὰρ χρὴ τὰ αὐτὰ αἰτοῦντας, οὐχὶ τῷ πλήθει
δὲ τῶν αἰτημάτων ἀδιαφόρως αἰτοῦντας δόξαν ἢ πλοῦτον καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς, ἀλλὰ μόνα τὰ ψυχωφελῆ.

I believe the passage is talking about the necessity of avoiding long and vain prayers. Instead, he favours repeating short and simple prayers directed towards heavenly rather than earthly things. An exact translation of the passage would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Re: Origen Fragment

Posted: January 13th, 2024, 4:53 pm
by Jason Hare
Shalom, “Bunny7.”

This is your first post to B-Greek, and I’ve approved the post. However, we do not allow anonymous posting on this forum (see the policy). The easiest thing to do is to add a signature to your profile that will appear at the bottom of each of your posts, such that it contains your first and last name and (if applicable) any academic association that you have. You can do that by clicking here. Otherwise, let one of the forum team know if you would like to change your username to match your real name.

Once this is taken care of you, you will have full posting privileges. If it is not taken care of, your posts may be held and not released to the forum.

Yours,
The Forum Team

Re: Origen Fragment

Posted: January 13th, 2024, 5:39 pm
by Bunny7
Ok. The profile has been updated.

Thanks

Re: Origen Fragment

Posted: January 15th, 2024, 10:13 am
by Ken M. Penner
Bunny7 wrote: January 13th, 2024, 2:03 am Hello, I have a question about the exact translation of a passage of one of Origen’s fragments on the gospel of Matthew. The passage is a little difficult, so even though I have a good idea of what he’s saying, I just want to make sure my translation is correct. Here is the passage:

Δεῖ τοίνυν μὴ μακροὺς ἀναλίσκειν λόγο‹υ›ς,531 ἀλλὰ τοῖς αὐτοῖς κεχρῆσθαι ῥήμασι συχνῶς, μηδὲ μακρὰς ποιεῖσθαι τὰς εὐχάς, οὐχὶ τῷ χρόνῳ, ἀλλὰ τῷ μήκει καὶ πλήθει τῶν λεγομένων. Παραμένειν μὲν γὰρ χρὴ τὰ αὐτὰ αἰτοῦντας, οὐχὶ τῷ πλήθει
δὲ τῶν αἰτημάτων ἀδιαφόρως αἰτοῦντας δόξαν ἢ πλοῦτον καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς, ἀλλὰ μόνα τὰ ψυχωφελῆ.

I believe the passage is talking about the necessity of avoiding long and vain prayers. Instead, he favours repeating short and simple prayers directed towards heavenly rather than earthly things. An exact translation of the passage would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
How's this:
Therefore, one must not spend time on long speeches, instead use the same phrases often, nor make your prayers long, not by time, rather by the length and number of things spoken. For one must persist in asking for the same things, but not through the abundance of things asked for indiscriminately asking for glory or wealth and the like, rather only for what benefits the soul.”

Re: Origen Fragment

Posted: January 15th, 2024, 10:47 am
by Bunny7
Ken M. Penner wrote: January 15th, 2024, 10:13 am
How's this:
Therefore, one must not spend time on long speeches, instead use the same phrases often, nor make your prayers long, not by time, rather by the length and number of things spoken. For one must persist in asking for the same things, but not through the abundance of things asked for indiscriminately asking for glory or wealth and the like, rather only for what benefits the soul.”

Thank you. This is what I was looking for.