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?
56. These gods of wood and stone, inlaid with gold and silver, can free themselves neither from thieves nor from robbers; whoever is stronger than they are,
57. will take up these things, the gold and the silver, and the garments which cover them, and will get away; neither will they be able to help themselves.
58. Therefore, it is better to be a king displaying his power, or a useful vessel in a house, about which he who owns it will boast, or a door in the house, which keeps safe what is inside, than to be these gods of falsehood.
59. For the sun, and the moon, and the constellations, though they are brilliant and have been sent forth to be useful, are obedient.
60. Similarly, the lightning, when it appears and is evident, and, in like manner, the wind blowing in every region,
61. and the clouds, when God orders them to make their rounds over the whole world, each carries out what was commanded.
62. Furthermore, the fire, having been sent from above so that it may consume mountains and woods, does what it has been instructed to do. Yet these are not similar, neither in splendor, nor in power, to any one of them.
63. From this, it should neither be supposed, nor said, that they are gods; since they are neither able to give judgment, nor to accomplish anything for men.
64. And so, knowing that they are not gods, therefore, have no fear of them.
65. For they can neither curse kings, nor bless them.
66. Besides, they show no signs in heaven to the nations; they neither shine like the sun, nor give light like the moon.
67. Beasts are better than they are, for they can flee under a covering, and so protect themselves.