16
As time went on, this ungodly custom became stronger. Finally it became law, and idols were being worshiped at the command of powerful rulers.
17
When people lived too far away to honor a ruler in his presence but were eager to pay honor to this absent king, they would imagine what he must look like, and would then make a likeness of him.
18
The ambitious artists who made these likenesses caused this worship to spread, even among people who did not know the king.
19
An artist might want to please some ruler, and so he would use his skill to make the likeness better looking than the actual person.
20
Then people would be so attracted by the work of art, that the one whom they had earlier honored now became the object of their worship.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.