4
Now in Babylon you will see gods made of silver and gold and wood, which are carried on men's shoulders and inspire fear in the heathen.
5
So take care not to become at all like the foreigners or to let fear for these gods possess you, when you see the multitude before and behind them worshiping them.
6
But say in your heart, "It is thou, O Lord, whom we must worship."
7
For my angel is with you, and he is watching your lives.
8
Their tongues are smoothed by the craftsman, and they themselves are overlaid with gold and silver; but they are false and cannot speak.
9
People take gold and make crowns for the heads of their gods, as they would for a girl who loves ornaments;
10
and sometimes the priests secretly take gold and silver from their gods and spend it upon themselves,
11
and even give some of it to the harlots in the brothel. They deck their gods out with garments like men -- these gods of silver and gold and wood,
12
which cannot save themselves from rust and corrosion. When they have been dressed in purple robes,
13
their faces are wiped because of the dust from the temple, which is thick upon them.
14
Like a local ruler the god holds a scepter, though unable to destroy any one who offends it.