13 Because truly all men who had no perception of God were foolish by nature,

and didn’t gain power to know him who exists from the good things that are seen.

They didn’t recognise the architect from his works.

2 But they thought that either fire, or wind, or swift air,

or circling stars, or raging water, or luminaries of heaven

were gods that rule the world.

3 If it was through delight in their beauty that they took them to be gods,

let them know how much better their Sovereign master is than these,

for the first author of beauty created them.

4 But if it was through astonishment at their power and influence,

then let them understand from them how much more powerful he who formed them is.

5 Because from the greatness of the beauty of created things,

mankind forms the corresponding perception of their Maker.[fn]

6 But yet for these men there is but small blame,

for they too perhaps go astray

while they are seeking God and desiring to find him.

7 Because they diligently search while living amongst his works,

and they trust their sight that the things that they look at are beautiful.

8 But again even they are not to be excused.

9 Because if they had power to know so much,

that they should be able to explore the world,

how is it that they didn’t find the Sovereign master sooner?