17. And when men could not honor them in presence because they lived far off, Imagining the likeness from afar, They made a visible image of the king whom they honored, That by their zeal they might flatter the absent as if present.
18. But to a yet higher pitch was worship raised even by them that knew him not, Urged forward by the ambition of the artificer:
19. For he, wishing perhaps to please one in authority, Used his are to force the likeness toward a greater beauty;
20. And the multitude, allured by reason of the grace of his handywork, Now accounted as an object of devotion him that a little before was honored as a man.
21. And this became a hidden danger to life, Because men, in bondage either to calamity or to tyranny, Invested stones and stocks with the incommunicable Name.
22. Afterward it was not enough for them to go astray as touching the knowledge of God; But also, while they live in sore conflict through ignorance of him. That multitude of evils they call peace.
23. For either slaughtering children in solemn rites, or celebrating secret mysteries, Or holding frantic revels of strange ordinances,
24. No longer do they guard either life or purity of marriage, But one brings upon another either death by treachery, or anguish by adulterate offspring.
25. And all things confusedly are filled with blood and murder, theft and deceit, Corruption, faithlessness, tumult, perjury,
26. turmoil, Ingratitude for benefits received, Defiling of souls, confusion of sex, Disorder in marriage, adultery and wantonness.
27. For the worship of those nameless idols Is a beginning and cause and end of every evil.
28. For their worshippers either make merry to madness, or prophesy lies, Or live unrighteously, or lightly forswear themselves.
29. For putting their trust in lifeless idols, When they have sworn a wicked oath, they expect not to suffer harm.
30. But for both sins shall the just doom pursue them, Because they had evil thoughts of God by giving heed to idols, And swore unrighteously in deceit through contempt for holiness.