33
The priests take some of the clothing of their gods to clothe their wives and children.
34
Whether one does evil to them or good, they will not be able to repay it. They cannot set up a king or depose one.
35
Likewise they are not able to give either wealth or money; if one makes a vow to them and does not keep it, they will not require it.
36
They cannot save a man from death or rescue the weak from the strong.
37
They cannot restore sight to a blind man; they cannot rescue a man who is in distress.
38
They cannot take pity on a widow or do good to an orphan.
39
These things that are made of wood and overlaid with gold and silver are like stones from the mountain, and those who serve them will be put to shame.
40
Why then must any one think that they are gods, or call them gods? Besides, even the Chaldeans themselves dishonor them;
41
for when they see a dumb man, who cannot speak, they bring him and pray Bel that the man may speak, as though Bel were able to understand.
42
Yet they themselves cannot perceive this and abandon them, for they have no sense.
43
And the women, with cords about them, sit along the passageways, burning bran for incense; and when one of them is led off by one of the passers-by and is lain with, she derides the woman next to her, because she was not as attractive as herself and her cord was not broken.