English Original
After Prometheus stole fire for humanity, Zeus grew hostile towards men. He ordered his son Hephaestus to mold a beautiful maiden from clay. The gods and goddesses each bestowed upon her a gift: Athena gave her elegant robes, Hermes granted her the power of deception, and others added their own traits. This first woman, named Pandora by Zeus, was sent to Earth as a deceptive gift.
Hermes delivered Pandora to Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus. Enchanted by her beauty, Epimetheus welcomed her into his home, forgetting his brother's warning never to accept anything from Zeus. For a time, they lived happily.
Prometheus had left a large jar (often called a "box") in Epimetheus's care, with strict instructions never to open it. Pandora, consumed by curiosity, lifted the lid one day while Epimetheus was away. Out flew all the evils that plague humanity: strife, war, disease, theft, sorrow, and more. Only Hope remained trapped inside the jar's mouth. Thus, humanity was left to endure these sufferings, yet always retains hope within.
中文翻译
普罗米修斯为人类盗取天火后，宙斯对人类日益敌视。他命令儿子赫菲斯托斯用泥土塑造了一位美丽的少女。众神各自赠予她一份礼物：雅典娜赐予她华美的衣袍，赫耳墨斯赋予她欺骗的能力，其他神也增添了各自的特性。这位由宙斯命名为潘多拉的第一位女性，被作为一份充满欺骗的礼物送到了人间。
赫耳墨斯将潘多拉带给普罗米修斯的弟弟厄庇墨透斯。厄庇墨透斯被她的美貌所迷惑，将她迎入家中，全然忘记了哥哥关于切勿接受宙斯任何馈赠的警告。他们度过了一段短暂的幸福时光。
普罗米修斯曾将一个巨大的罐子（常被称为“盒子”）托付给厄庇墨透斯保管，并严令禁止打开它。潘多拉被好奇心驱使，趁厄庇墨透斯外出时掀开了盖子。于是，困扰人类的所有灾祸——冲突、战争、疾病、偷窃、悲伤等等——全都飞了出来。只有“希望”被留在了罐口。从此，人类开始承受这些苦难，但心中始终保留着希望。