41. Even after observing this, the Chaldeans themselves are unable to abandon the idols because they have no sense.
42. The women, with cords wrapped around them, sit along the streets and burn corn husks as incense.
43. When one of these women is dragged away by someone to have sex, she makes fun of the one nearest her by saying that the other woman wasn’t as worthy as she, nor has the woman’s cord been broken.
44. Everything that is done for the gods is phony. So why should anyone consider or call them gods?
45. Carpenters and goldsmiths make them. They can be only what these designers want them to be.
46. Their creators won’t live long themselves, so how can the things they have made be gods?
47. These designers leave behind something fake and disgraceful for those who come after them.
48. When war or disasters come, the priests consult with each other about where they may hide along with the idols.
49. So how can one not grasp that they aren’t gods? They can’t save themselves from war or other disasters.
50. After such events as this, the idols, made of wood and covered in gold and silver, will be recognized as fake. It will be clear to the nations and to the rulers that they aren’t gods but human creations. There’s nothing divine about them.
51. Who then doesn’t realize that they aren’t gods?
52. They could never raise up a ruler over a country or provide rain for people.
53. They can’t render a verdict in their own cases, nor can they save those falsely accused, because the idols are powerless. They are like crows between the sky and the earth.