5
For by the greatness of the beauty, and of the creature, the creator of them may be seen, so as to be known thereby.
6
But yet as to these they are less to be blamed. For they perhaps err, seeking God, and desirous to find him.
7
For being conversant among his works, they search: and they are persuaded that the things are good which are seen.
8
But then again they are not to be pardoned.
9
For if they were able to know so much as to make a judgment of the world: how did they not more easily find out the Lord thereof?
10
But unhappy are they, and their hope is among the dead, who have called gods the works of the hands of men, gold and silver, the inventions of art, and the resemblances of beasts, or an unprofitable stone the work of an ancient hand.
11
Or if an artist, a carpenter, hath cut down a tree proper for his use in the wood, and skilfully taken off all the bark thereof, and with his art, diligently formeth a vessel profitable for the common uses of life,
12
And useth the chips of his work to dress his meat:
13
And taking what was left thereof, which is good for nothing, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, carveth it diligently when he hath nothing else to do, and by the skill of his art fashioneth it and maketh it like the image of a man:
14
Or the resemblance of some beast, laying it over with vermillion, and painting it red, and covering every spot that is in it:
15
And maketh a convenient dwelling place for it, and setting it in a wall, and fastening it with iron,