14
For through human vanity they entered the world, and therefore their speedy end has been planned.
15
For a father, consumed with grief at an untimely bereavement, made an image of his child, who had been suddenly taken from him; he now honored as a god what was once a dead human being, and handed on to his dependents secret rites and initiations.
16
Then the ungodly custom, grown strong with time, was kept as a law, and at the command of monarchs carved images were worshiped.
17
When people could not honor monarchs in their presence, since they lived at a distance, they imagined their appearance far away, and made a visible image of the king whom they honored, so that by their zeal they might flatter the absent one as though present.
18
Then the ambition of the artisan impelled even those who did not know the king to intensify their worship.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.