Wisdom of Solomon 13

1For all men are by nature futile, in whom there was ignorance of God; and from the good things that are seen they were not able to know the One who is, nor by paying attention to his works did they recognize the craftsman.

2Instead, they considered either fire, or wind, or swift air, or the circle of the stars, or violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be gods, rulers of the world.

3If, then, delighting in their beauty, they supposed them to be gods, let them know how much better than these is their Master; for the creator of beauty created them.

4But if they were astonished by their power and activity, let them understand from them how much more powerful is the one who made them;

5For from the greatness and beauty of created things, their Creator is seen by analogy.

6Yet even for these there is only slight blame, for they too perhaps go astray while seeking God and wanting to find him;

7For while moving among his works, they examine them closely, and they are persuaded by what they see, because the things being seen are beautiful.

8Yet again, not even they are excusable;

9For if they had power to know so much that they could speculate about the age, how did they not more quickly find its Master?

10But miserable are they, and their hopes are among the dead, who called gods the works of human hands—gold and silver, the product of skill, and images of animals, or a useless stone, the work of an ancient hand.

11Or if some woodcutter, a carpenter, has sawed down a manageable tree and skillfully stripped off all its bark, and with proper craftsmanship made a useful vessel for the service of life,

12But after using up the scraps from his work to prepare food, he was filled.

13But the refuse from these, useful for nothing, a crooked piece of wood and full of knots—taking it, he carved it with the diligence of his idleness, and with the skill of his leisure he shaped it, and made it like the image of a man,

14or he made it like some lowly animal, smearing it with red ocher and with dye, reddening its surface, and smearing over every blemish on it,

15And after making for it a dwelling fit for it, he set it in a wall, securing it with iron.

16So then, lest it fall, he made provision for it, knowing that it is unable to help itself; for it is an image and has need of help.

17But concerning his possessions and his marriage and children, while praying he is not ashamed to address the lifeless thing; and concerning health, he calls on what is weak,

18But for life he considers the dead thing worthy; for help he begs the one most inexperienced; and for a journey, the one unable even to use its foot,

19But concerning provision and work and success of his hands, he asks strength from that thing most inactive with his hands.