40
How should a man then think and say that they are gods, when even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them?
41
Who if they shall see one dumb that cannot speak, they bring him, and intreat Bel that he may speak, as though he were able to understand.
42
Yet they cannot understand this themselves, and leave them: for they haveno knowledge.
43
The women also with cords about them, sitting in the ways, burn bran for perfume: but if any of them, drawn by some that passeth by, lie with him, she reproacheth her fellow, that she was not thought as worthy as herself, nor her cord broken.
44
Whatsoever is done among them is false: how may it then be thought or said that they are gods?
45
They are made of carpenters and goldsmiths: they can be nothing else thanthe workmen will have them to be.
46
And they themselves that made them can never continue long; how should then the things that are made of them be gods?
47
For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after.
48
For when there cometh any war or plague upon them, the priests consult with themselves, where they may be hidden with them.
49
How then cannot men perceive that they be no gods, which can neither save themselves from war, nor from plague?
50
For seeing they be but of wood, and overlaid with silver and gold, it shall be known hereafter that they are false: