1
In the same way, a man getting ready to sail on the raging sea will call for help from a piece of wood that is not as strong as the ship he is about to board.
2
Someone designed the ship out of a desire for profit, and a craftsman built it with skill.
3
But it is your care, O Father, that steers it; you give it a safe path through the waves of the sea.
4
People may go to sea even if they have no skill, because you can save them from any danger.
5
It is your will that the things you have made by your wisdom should be put to use. And so people can cross the sea in a boat and come safely to land, because they trust their lives to that small piece of wood.
6
This was how it was in ancient times, when a proud race of giants was dying away. The hope of the world escaped on such a boat under your guidance and left the world a new generation to carry on the human race.
7
A blessing was on Noah's wooden boat that allowed righteousness to survive,
8
but a curse is on an idol made by human hands. A curse is also on the one who makes it, because he works on this perishable thing and then calls it a god.
9
Ungodly people and these ungodly things they make are equally hated by God,
10
who will punish both the things made and the people who made them.