3. But now, you will see in Babylon gods of gold and of silver, and of stone and of wood, carried upon shoulders, an awful display for the peoples.
4. See to it, then, that you do not in effect become like these strangers and become afraid, so that in awe you would be carried away into their midst.
5. And so, seeing the turmoil, behind you and in front of you, as they are worshiping, say in your hearts, 'You ought to be adored, O Lord.'
6. For my angel is with you. And I myself will examine your souls.
7. For their tongue is polished by the craftsman, and they themselves are even inlaid with gold and silver, yet they are false and unable to speak.
8. And, just like a virgin who loves to decorate herself, so do they take up gold and make designs with it.
9. Their gods have crowns of certified gold upon their heads, from which the priests subtract gold and silver, and spend it on themselves.
10. Moreover, they even give from it to prostitutes, and use it to adorn kept women, and when they receive it back from the kept women, they use it to adorn their gods.
11. But these cannot be freed from rust and moths.
12. Although they are covered with a purple garment, they must wipe off their face, because of the dust of the house, which is very great around them.
13. Yet he who holds a scepter like a man, like the judge of the region, cannot put to death one who sins against him.
14. And though he holds in his hand a sword and an axe, yet he cannot free himself from war and robbers. From this let it be known to you that they are not gods.
15. Therefore, do not fear them. For just as the vessel a man uses becomes useless when broken, so also are their gods.
16. When they are set up in a house, their eyes are full of dust from the feet of those who enter.
17. And like one who has offended the king and is surrounded at every door, or like a corpse about to be carried to the grave, so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks, lest they be plundered by robbers.
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.