Wis 14

1 Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through the raging waves, callsupon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carries him. 2 For verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it by his skill. 3 But your providence, O Father, governs it: for you have made a way in the sea, and a safepath in the waves; 4 Shewing that you can save from all danger: yes, though a man went to sea without are. 5 Nevertheless you would not that the works of your wisdom should be idle, and thereforedo men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved. 6 For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governedby your hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of generation. 7 For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness comes. 8 But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he, becausehe made it; and it, because, being corruptible, it was called god. 9 For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful to God. 10 For that which is made shall be punished together with him that made it. 11 Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation: because inthe creature of God they are become an abomination, and stumbling blocks to the souls of men, and a snareto the feet of the unwise. 12 For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual fornication, and the inventionof them the corruption of life. 13 For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be for ever. 14 For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and therefore shall they comeshortly to an end. 15 For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he has made an image of his childsoon taken away, now honored him as a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that wereunder him ceremonies and sacrifices. 16 Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and gravenimages were worshipped by the commandments of kings. 17 Whom men could not honor in presence, because they lived far off, they took the counterfeitof his visage from far, and made an express image of a king whom they honored, to the end that by thistheir forwardness they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present. 18 Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant tomore superstition. 19 For he, perhaps willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make theresemblance of the best fashion. 20 And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, whicha little before was but honored. 21 And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving either calamity or tyranny,did ascribe to stones and stocks the incommunicable name. 22 Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereasthey lived in the great war of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace. 23 For while they killed their children in sacrifices, or used secret ceremonies, or maderevellings of strange rites; 24 They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but either one killed anothertraitorously, or grieved him by adultery. 25 So that there reigned in all men without exception blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation,corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury, 26 Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing ofkind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness. 27 For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end,of all evil. 28 For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live unjustly, or elselightly forswear themselves. 29 For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life; though they swear falsely,yet they look not to be hurt. 30 Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both because they thought notwell of God, giving heed to idols, and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness. 31 For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is the just vengeance of sinners,that punishes always the offence of the ungodly.