14
Like human judges they hold scepters in their hands, but they have no power to punish anyone who wrongs them.
15
Sometimes they have daggers and axes in their hands, but they cannot protect themselves from being destroyed in war or from being carried off by thieves.
16
All of this proves that they are not gods - do not worship them.
17
Those gods sitting in their temples are as useless as a broken bowl. Their eyes are filled with the dust that people kick up when they come in.
18
The priests fortify the temples with doors and bars and bolts, so that thieves cannot break in. The gods are locked up as securely as a prisoner about to be executed for a crime against the king.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.