en_RV1895 - Wis 13 - Ozzuu Bible

¹ For verily all men by nature [1] were but [2]vain who had no perception of God, And [3]from the good things that are seen they gained not power to know [4]him that is, Neither by giving heed to the works did they recognise the artificer;

² But either fire, or wind, or swift air, Or [5]circling [6]stars, or raging water, or [7]luminaries of heaven, They thought to be gods that rule the world.

³ And if it was through delight in their [8]beauty that they took them to be gods, Let them know how much better than these is their Sovereign Lord; For the first author of beauty created them:

⁴ But if it was through astonishment at their power and [9]influence, [10]Let them understand from them how much more powerful is he that formed them;

⁵ For from the [11]greatness of the beauty [12]even of created things [13]In like proportion [14]does man form the image of their first maker.

⁶ But yet for these [15]men there is but small blame, For they too peradventure do but go astray [16]While they are seeking God and desiring to find him.

⁷ For [17]living among his works they make diligent search, And they [18]yield themselves up to sight, because the things that they look upon are beautiful.

⁸ But again even [19]they are not to be excused.

⁹ For if they had power to know so much, That they should be able to explore [20]the course of things, How is it that they did not sooner find the Sovereign Lord of these his works?

¹⁰ But miserable [21] were they, and [22]in [23]dead things [24] were their hopes, Who called them gods which are [25]works of men's hands, Gold and silver, [26]wrought with careful art, and [27]likenesses of animals, Or a useless stone, the work of an ancient hand.

¹¹ Yea and if [28]some [29]woodcutter, having sawn down a [30]tree that is easily moved, Skilfully strippeth away all its bark, And fashioning it in comely form maketh [31]a vessel useful for the service of life;

¹² [32]And burning the refuse of his handywork to dress his food, eateth 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 [33]indolence; [34] Then he giveth it the semblance of the image of a man,

¹⁴ Or maketh it like some [35]paltry animal, [36]Smearing it with vermilion, and with [37]paint colouring it red, And smearing over every stain that is therein;

¹⁵ And having made for it a chamber worthy of it, [38]He setteth it in a wall, making it fast with iron.

¹⁶ While then he taketh thought for it [39]that it may not fall down, [40]Knowing that it is unable to help itself; (For verily it is an image, and hath need of help;)

¹⁷ [41]When he maketh his prayer concerning goods and his marriage and children, He is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life;

¹⁸ Yea for health he calleth upon that which is weak, And for life he beseecheth [42]that which is dead, And for aid he supplicateth that which hath least experience, And for a good journey [43]that which cannot so much as move a step,

¹⁹ And for gaining and [44]getting and good success of his hands He asketh ability of that which with its hands is most unable.