13
This holdeth a sceptre as a man, as a judge of the country, but cannot put to death one that offendeth him.
14
And this hath in his hand a sword, or an axe, but cannot save himself from war, or from robbers, whereby be it known to you, that they are not gods.
15
Therefore fear them not. For as a vessel that a man uses when it is broken becometh useless, even so are their gods:
16
When they are placed in the house, their eyes are full of dust by the feet of them that go in.
17
And as the gates are made sure on every side upon one that hath offended the king, or like a dead man carried to the grave, so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks, lest they be stripped by thieves.
18
They light candles to them, and in great number, of which they cannot see one: but they are like beams in the house.
19
And they say that the creeping things which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts, while they eat them and their garments, and they feel it not.
20
Their faces are black with the smoke that is made in the house.
21
Owls, and swallows, and other birds fly upon their bodies, and upon their heads, and cats in like manner.
22
Whereby you may know that they are no gods. Therefore fear them not.
23
The gold also which they have, is for shew, but except a man wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten, did they feel it.