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Instead, they suppose that the gods who rule the world are fire or wind or storm or the circling stars or rushing water or the heavenly bodies.
3
People were so delighted with the beauty of these things that they thought they must be gods, but they should have realized that these things have a master and that he is much greater than all of them, for he is the creator of beauty, and he created them.
4
Since people are amazed at the power of these things, and how they behave, they ought to learn from them that their maker is far more powerful.
5
When we realize how vast and beautiful the creation is, we are learning about the Creator at the same time.
6
But maybe we are too harsh with these people. After all, they may have really wanted to find God, but couldn't.
7
Surrounded by God's works, they keep on looking at them, until they are finally convinced that because the things they see are so beautiful, they must be gods.
8
But still, these people really have no excuse.
9
If they had enough intelligence to speculate about the nature of the universe, why did they never find the Lord of all things?
10
But the most miserable people of all are those who rest their hopes on lifeless things, who worship things that have been made by human hands - images of animals artistically made from gold and silver, or some useless stone carved by someone years ago.
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11
A skilled woodworker may saw down some suitable tree, carefully strip off the bark, and then, with skillful craftsmanship, make from it an object that will serve some useful purpose.
12
He will take the leftover pieces and use them as firewood to cook a meal that he can sit down to and enjoy.