18. They light candles to them, and in great number, and still they are unable to see, for they are like logs in the house.
19. It is truly said that the creeping things, which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts, and yet when these devour them and their garments, they do not feel it.
20. Their faces are made black by the smoke that is made in the house.
21. Over their bodies and over their heads fly owls and swallows and birds, and similarly, even cats.
22. From this you should understand that they are not gods. Therefore, neither should you fear them.
23. Furthermore, the gold which they have is shiny, but unless someone wipes off the rust, they will not shine. And even when they were molten, they did not feel it.
24. They acquire all kinds of costly things, yet there is no breath in them.
25. Without feet, they are carried upon shoulders, showing their unworthiness to all men. And so, may those who worship them be confounded.
26. Because of this, if they fall to the ground, they do not get up by themselves; and if someone sets it upright, they will not stand firm on their own; yet, just like the dead, offerings are placed next to them.
27. The priests themselves sell their sacrifices, and they spend it wastefully; and, in like manner, their wives take part of it, never sharing anything with the sick or the beggars.
28. Fertile and menstruous women contaminate their sacrifices. And so, knowing from this that they are not gods, you should not fear them.
29. For what reason are they called gods? It is because the women serve before the gods of silver and gold and wood,
30. and the priests sit in their houses, with torn garments, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing on their heads.
31. But they roar, shouting out to their gods, just as at a feast for the dead.
32. The priests take away the garments of their gods, and clothe their wives and their sons.
33. And whether they endure evil from someone, or good, they are not able to repay it. They can neither establish a king, nor remove him.