6. But yet for these men there is but small blame, For they too perhaps do but go astray While they are seeking God and desiring to find him.
7. For living among his works they make diligent search, And they yield themselves up to sight, because the things that they look upon are beautiful.
8. But again even they are not to be excused.
9. For if they had power to know so much, That they should be able to explore the course of things, How is it that they did not sooner find the Sovereign Lord of these his works?
10. But miserable were they, and in dead things were their hopes, Who called them gods which are works of men’s hands, Gold and silver, wrought with careful are, and likenesses of animals, Or a useless stone, the work of an ancient hand.
11. Yes and if some woodcutter, having sawn down a tree that is easily moved, Skilfully strippeth away all its bark, And fashioning it in comely form makes a vessel useful for the service of life;
12. And burning the refuse of his handywork to dress his food, eats his fill;
13. And taking the very refuse thereof which served to no use, A crooked piece of wood and full of knots, Carveth it with the diligence of his idleness, And shapeth it by the skill of his indolence; Then he gives it the semblance of the image of a man,
14. Or makes it like some paltry animal, Smearing it with vermilion, and with paint colouring it red, And smearing over every stain that is therein;
15. And having made for it a chamber worthy of it, He sets it in a wall, making it fast with iron.