16
Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings.
17
Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made an express image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that by this their forwardness they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present.
18
Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition.
19
For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion.
20
And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured.
21
And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and stocks the incommunicable name.
22
Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace.
23
For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, or used secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites;
24
They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but either one slew another traitorously, or grieved him by adultery.
25
So that there reigned in all men without exception blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury,
26
Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness.