11 Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise. |
12 For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual fornication, and the invention of 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 come shortly to an end. |
15 For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath made an image of his child soon taken away, now honoured him as a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that were under him ceremonies and sacrifices. |
16 Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings. |
17 Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made an express image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that by this their 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 to more superstition. |
19 For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion. |
20 And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured. |
