Page:The Holy Bible, containing the Old & New Testament & the Apocrypha (Volume 3).djvu/1283

VI Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men. Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not. For they can neither curse nor bless kings: neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon. The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a covert, and help themselves. It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.

For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold. And likewise their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is cast into the dark. And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon them: and they themselves afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country. Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach.