12. But when they have covered them with a purple garment, they wipe their face because of the dust of the house, which is very much among them.
13. This holdeth a sceptre as a man, as a judge of the country, but cannot put to death one that offendeth him.
14. And this hath in his hand a sword, or an axe, but cannot save himself from war, or from robbers, whereby be it known to you, that they are not gods.
15. Therefore fear them not. For as a vessel that a man uses when it is broken becometh useless, even so are their gods:
16. When they are placed in the house, their eyes are full of dust by the feet of them that go in.
17. And as the gates are made sure on every side upon one that hath offended the king, or like a dead man carried to the grave, so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks, lest they be stripped by thieves.
18. They light candles to them, and in great number, of which they cannot see one: but they are like beams in the house.
19. And they say that the creeping things which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts, while they eat them and their garments, and they feel it not.
20. Their faces are black with the smoke that is made in the house.
21. Owls, and swallows, and other birds fly upon their bodies, and upon their heads, and cats in like manner.
22. Whereby you may know that they are no gods. Therefore fear them not.
23. The gold also which they have, is for shew, but except a man wipe off the rust, they will not shine: for neither when they were molten, did they feel it.
24. Men buy them at a high price, whereas there is no breath in them.
25. And having not the use of feet they are carried upon shoulders, declaring to men how vile they are. Be they confounded also that worship them.
26. Therefore if they fall to the ground, they rise not up again of themselves, nor if a man set them upright, will they stand by themselves, but their gifts shall be set before them, as to the dead.
27. The things that are sacrificed to them, their priests sell and abuse: in like manner also their wives take part of them, but give nothing of it either to the sick, or to the poor.
28. The childbearing and menstruous women touch their sacrifices: knowing therefore by these things that they are not gods, fear them not.
29. For how can they be called gods? because women set offerings before the gods of silver, and of gold, and of wood:
30. And priests sit in their temples, having their garments rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads.