32
The priests take away their garments, and clothe their wives and their children.
33
And whether it be evil that one doth unto them, or good, they are not able to recompense it: neither can they set up a king nor put him down:
34
In like manner they can neither give riches, nor requite evil. If a man make a vow to them, and perform it not, they cannot require it.
35
They cannot deliver a man from death nor save the weak from the mighty.
36
They cannot restore the blind man to his sight: nor deliver a man from distress.
37
They shall not pity the widow, nor do good to the fatherless.
38
Their gods, of wood, and of stone, and of gold, and of silver, are like the stones that are hewn out of the mountains: and they that worship them shall be confounded.
39
How then is it to be supposed, or to be said, that they are gods?
40
Even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them: who when they hear of one dumb that cannot speak, they present him to Bel, entreating him, that he may speak,
41
As though they could be sensible that have no motion themselves: and they, when they shall perceive this, will leave them: for their gods themselves have no sense.
42
The women also with cords about them, sit in the ways, burning olive stones.