The Futility of False Gods
Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 1. For all men while ignorant of God were useless in their condition. So from the good things that are seen They were unable to know Him who exists, Nor did they know the Craftsman by paying attention to His works. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 2. But they supposed that the gods who rule the world Were either fire or wind or swift air, Or the circle of the stars or violent water or the luminaries of heaven. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 3. If while delighting in their beauty men assumed them to be gods, Let them know how much better than these things is their Lord, For the Creator of beauty created them; Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 4. And if they were amazed at their power and working, Let them understand from them How much more powerful than these is He who made them. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 5. For from the greatness and beauty of created things The Creator is seen by analogy. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 6. Nevertheless there is little reason for complaint against them, For perhaps they go astray while seeking God and wish to find Him. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 7. For as they live among His works, they examine them closely And are persuaded by what they see, Because the things they see are beautiful. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 8. However, they are not to be excused; Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 9. For if they were able to know so much With their ability to investigate the world, How is it possible they did not quickly find The Lord of all these things? Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 10. But they are miserable, and so are their hopes in dead things, Those who call “gods” the works of men's hands, Gold, silver, and the practice of craftsmanship, And the likeness of animals, Or a worthless stone of an ancient hand. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 11. But also, if some carpenter saws down an easily moved tree And skillfully scrapes away all its bark, He then builds a useful vessel beautifully made by his skill For the service of the living, Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 12. And uses up the cast-off pieces of his trade To prepare his food and be filled. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 13. But a cast-off piece from among them, useful for nothing, That grew up with the tree, crooked and full of knots, He takes and carves with care in his leisure And forms it with intelligent skill, And models it in the likeness of a man. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 14. Or he likens it to some worthless animal And smears it with bright red paint, Making its surface red, Covering every blemish in it with paint. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 15. Then he makes a room fitting for it And puts it on a wall and fastens it with iron nails That it may not fall. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 16. He takes care of it, knowing that it cannot help itself; For it is an image that has need of help. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 17. When he prays about his possessions, His marriage and his children, He is not ashamed to speak to a lifeless thing, And he appeals to a weak thing concerning his health. Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 18. Concerning life he prays to something dead; Concerning aid he supplicates something ignorant; And concerning a journey, something that cannot take a step; Wisdom of Solomon 13, verse 19. Concerning means of livelihood, Profit and success with his hands; He requests bodily strength From something powerless with its hands.