17
For like as a vessel that a man useth is nothing worth when it is broken; even so it is with their gods: when they be set up in the temple, their eyes be full of dust through the feet of them that come in.
18
And as the doors are made sure on every side upon him that offendeth the king, as being committed to suffer death: even so the priests make fast their temples with doors, with locks, and bars, lest their gods be spoiled with robbers.
19
They light them candles, yea, more than for themselves, whereof they cannot see one.
20
They are as one of the beams of the temple, yet they say their hearts are gnawed upon by things creeping out of the earth; and when they eat them and their clothes, they feel it not.
21
Their faces are blacked through the smoke that cometh out of the temple.
22
Upon their bodies and heads sit bats, swallows, and birds, and the cats also.
23
By this ye may know that they are no gods: therefore fear them not.
24
Notwithstanding the gold that is about them to make them beautiful, except they wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten did they feel it.
25
The things wherein there is no breath are bought for a most high price.
26
They are borne upon shoulders, having no feet whereby they declare unto men that they be nothing worth.
27
They also that serve them are ashamed: for if they fall to the ground at any time, they cannot rise up again of themselves: neither, if one set them upright, can they move of themselves: neither, if they be bowed down, can they make themselves straight: but they set gifts before them as unto dead men.