13
their faces are wiped because of the dust from the temple, which is thick upon them.
14
One of them holds a scepter, like a district judge, but is unable to destroy anyone who offends it.
15
Another has a dagger in its right hand, and an ax, but cannot defend itself from war and robbers.
16
From this it is evident that they are not gods; so do not fear them.
17
For just as someone's dish is useless when it is broken,
18
so are their gods when they have been set up in the temples. Their eyes are full of the dust raised by the feet of those who enter. And just as the gates are shut on every side against anyone who has offended a king, as though under sentence of death, so the priests make their temples secure with doors and locks and bars, in order that they may not be plundered by robbers.
19
They light more lamps for them than they light for themselves, though their gods can see none of them.
20
They are just like a beam of the temple, but their hearts, it is said, are eaten away when crawling creatures from the earth devour them and their robes. They do not notice
21
when their faces have been blackened by the smoke of the temple.
22
Bats, swallows, and birds alight on their bodies and heads; and so do cats.
23
From this you will know that they are not gods; so do not fear them.