10 But they were miserable, and their hopes were in dead things,

who called them gods which are works of men’s hands,

gold and silver, skilfully made, and likenesses of animals,

or a useless stone, the work of an ancient hand.

11 Yes and some[fn] woodcutter might saw down a tree that is easily moved,

skilfully strip away all its bark,

and fashion it in attractive form, make a useful vessel to serve his life’s needs.

12 Burning the scraps from his handiwork to cook his food,

he eats his fill.

13 Taking a discarded scrap which served no purpose,

a crooked piece of wood and full of knots,

he carves it with the diligence of his idleness,

and shapes it by the skill of his idleness.

He shapes it in the image of a man,

14 or makes it like some worthless animal,

smearing it with something red, painting it red,

and smearing over every stain in it.

15 Having made a worthy chamber for it,

he sets it in a wall, securing it with iron.

16 He plans for it that it may not fall down,

knowing that it is unable to help itself

(for truly it is an image, and needs help).

17 When he makes his prayer concerning goods and his marriage and children,

he is not ashamed to speak to that which has no life.

18 Yes, for health, he calls upon that which is weak.

Because life, he implores that which is dead.

Because aid, he supplicates that which has no experience.

Because a good journey, he asks that which can’t so much as move a step.

19 And for profit in business and good success of his hands,

he asks ability from that which has hands with no ability.

14 Again, one preparing to sail, and about to journey over raging waves,

calls upon a piece of wood more fragile than the vessel that carries him.

2 Because the hunger for profit planned it,

and wisdom was the craftsman who built it.

3 Your providence, Oh Father, guides it along,

because even in the sea you gave a way,

and in the waves a sure path,

4 showing that you can save out of every danger,

that even a man without skill may put to sea.

5 It is your will that the works of your wisdom should not be ineffective.

Therefore men also entrust their lives to a little piece of wood,

and passing through the surge on a raft come safely to land.

6 Because[fn] in the old time also, when proud giants were perishing,

the hope of the world, taking refuge on a raft,

your hand guided the seed of generations of the race of men.

7 Because blessed is wood through which comes righteousness;

8 but the idol made with hands is accursed, itself and he that made it;

because his was the working, and the corruptible thing was called a god.

9 Because both the ungodly and his ungodliness are alike hateful to God;

10 for truly the deed will be punished together with him who committed it.

11 Therefore also there will be a visitation amongst the idols of the nation,

because, though formed of things which God created, they were made an abomination,

stumbling blocks to the souls of men,

and a snare to the feet of the foolish.