Most glorious of the Immortals, many named, Almighty forever.Zeus, ruler of nature, that governest all things with law,Hail! for lawful it is that all mortals should address Thee.For we are Thy offspring, taking the image only of Thy voice, as many mortal things as live and move upon the earth.Therefore will I hymn Thee, and sing Thy might forever.For Thee doth all this universe that circles round the earth obey, moving whithersoever Thou leadest, and is gladly swayed by Thee.Such a minister hast Thou in Thine invincible hands;—the two-edged, blazing, imperishable thunderbolt.For under its stroke all Nature shuddereth, and by it Thou guidest aright the Universal Reason, that roams through all things, mingling itself with the greater and the lesser lights, till it have grown so great, and become supreme king over all.Nor is aught done on the earth without Thee, O God, nor in the divine sphere of the heavens, nor in the sea,Save the works that evil men do in their folly—Yea, but Thou knowest even to find a place for superfluous things, and to order that which is disorderly, and things not dear to men are dear to Thee.Thus dost Thou harmonize into One all good and evil things, that there should be one everlasting Reason of them all.And this the evil among mortal men avoid and heed not; wretched, ever desiring to possess the good, yet they nor see nor hear the universal Law of God, which obeying with all their heart, their life would be well.But they rush graceless each to his own aim,Some cherishing lust for fame, the nurse of evil strife,Some bent on monstrous gain,Some turned to folly and the sweet works of the flesh,Hastening, indeed, to bring the very contrary of these things to pass.But Thou, O Zeus, the All-giver, Dweller in the darkness of cloud, Lord of thunder, save Thou men from their unhappy folly,Which do Thou, O Father, scatter from their souls; and give them to discover the wisdom, in whose assurance Thou governest all things with justice;So that being honored, they may pay Thee honor,Hymning Thy works continually, as it beseems a mortal man.Since there can be no greater glory for men or Gods than this,Duly to praise forever the Universal Law.
Most glorious of the Immortals, known by many names, Almighty forever. Zeus, ruler of nature, you govern all things by law. Hail! It is right for all mortals to call upon you. For we are your children, bearing the likeness of your voice alone, all mortal creatures that live and move upon the earth. So I will praise you in song and sing of your might forever. This whole universe that circles the earth obeys you, moving wherever you lead, and gladly follows your rule. Such a servant you hold in your invincible hands, the double-edged, blazing, everlasting thunderbolt. At its strike, all Nature trembles, and with it you rightly guide the Universal Reason, which moves through all things, mingling with the greater and lesser lights, until it has grown so great that it becomes supreme ruler over all. Nothing happens on earth without you, O God, or in the divine realm of the heavens, or in the sea, Except the deeds that evil men do in their folly. Yet you know how to find a place even for needless things, and to bring order to disorder. Things people do not love are dear to you. In this way, you bring all good and evil things into harmony as One, so that one everlasting Reason governs them all. Evil people avoid this and pay it no attention. Wretched, they always long to possess what is good, yet they neither see nor hear God's universal Law. If they obeyed it with all their heart, their lives would go well. But they rush recklessly, each toward his own goal. Some nurture a craving for fame, which breeds evil conflict. Some pursue enormous wealth. Some turn to folly and the sweet pleasures of the flesh. Yet they hurry toward the very opposite of what they seek. But you, O Zeus, giver of all, who dwell in dark clouds, Lord of thunder, save people from their miserable folly. O Father, drive it out of their souls. Help them discover the wisdom you confidently rely on to govern all things with justice. Then, honored by you, they may honor you, Singing praises of your works continually, as a mortal should. For there can be no greater glory for humans or Gods than this, To give the Universal Law its rightful praise forever.
ἰῆς μίμημα λαχόντες μοῦνον. This is Zeller’s reading. Professor Mahaffy instead reads ἑνὸς μίμημα.
Professor Mahaffy quotes this noble hymn in full in his Greek Life and Thought. He thinks it “would alone redeem the Hellenistic age, as it stands before us, from the charge of mere artificiality and pedantry.”