39. In what way, then, is it to be supposed or said that they are gods?
40. For even the Chaldeans themselves do not honor these, who, when they hear about a mute, unable to speak, they offer him to Bel, asking from him that he may speak,
41. as if these, who are unable to move, would be able to perceive. And even they themselves, when they shall understand this, will abandon them, for, having come to their senses, they do not consider them to be gods.
42. Yet the women, wrapped in cords, sit by the roads, burning olive-stones.
43. And when any one of them, having been attracted by someone passing by, would sleep with him, she reproaches her neighbor because she was not found worthy, as she was, nor was her cord broken.
44. But all things that occur with them are false; in what way, then, is it to be considered or said that they are gods?
45. Yet they have been made by the workmen and the goldsmiths. They will be nothing else but what the priests want them to be.
46. For the artisans themselves, who make them, do not exist for a long time. So then, can these things, which have been made by them, be gods?
47. Yet they have bequeathed falsehoods and disgrace after this to the future.
48. For when they are overcome by battle or evil, the priests consider among themselves where they may hide themselves with them.
49. Therefore, why would they be perceived to be gods, who can neither free themselves from war, nor rescue themselves from evils?
50. For, in as much as they are only wood, inlaid with gold and silver, so let it be known henceforth, by all nations and kings, that they are false; because it has been revealed that they are not gods, but the work of men's hands, and there is no work of God in them.
51. For this reason, then, it has been accepted that they are not gods, but are works of the hands of men, and no work of God is in them.
52. They have not raised up a king in the region, nor will they give rain to men.
53. They will not discern a judgment for anyone, nor will they free a region from injury, because they can do nothing, like crows in the middle of heaven and earth.
54. And, indeed, when there happens to be a fire in the house of these gods of wood, silver, and gold, the priests will certainly run away and save themselves, but these will truly be burned up like logs in the midst of it.
55. Yet they cannot withstand a king and war. In what way, then, is it to be considered or accepted that they are gods?