14. Like human judges they hold sceptres in their hands, but they have no power to punish anyone who wrongs them.
15. Sometimes they have daggers and axes in their hands, but they cannot protect themselves from being destroyed in war or from being carried off by thieves.
16. All this proves that they are not gods — do not worship them.
17. Those gods sitting in their temples are as useless as a broken bowl. Their eyes are filled with the dust that people kick up when they come in.
18. The priests fortify the temples with doors and bars and bolts, so that thieves cannot break in. The gods are locked up as securely as a prisoner about to be executed for a crime against the king.
19. The priests light lamps for the gods, far more than they need for their own use, but the idols can't see even one of them.
20. Their insides are eaten away by termites, just like the wooden beams of the temple, and their clothing is destroyed, but they don't even know it.
21. Their faces are blackened by the smoke in the temple.
22. Bats, swallows, and other birds perch on them, and even cats sit on them.
23. All this proves that they are not gods — do not worship them.
24. These idols have been plated with gold to make them beautiful, but they do not shine unless someone polishes them. When they were being poured into moulds, they felt nothing.
25. It makes no difference how high a price is paid for them; they are still unable to breathe.
26. See how useless they are! They can't walk on their own feet, but must be carried around.
27. Even those who take care of them are embarrassed when one of their gods falls to the ground and has to be picked up again. When someone stands one of them in a certain place, it cannot move, and if it is leaning over, it can never straighten itself up. Offering gifts to them is like giving gifts to a corpse.
28. Priests sell what is sacrificed to their gods and use the money on themselves. And the wives of the priests preserve the sacrifices with salt for use later, instead of sharing them with the poor and helpless.
29. Even women who are having their monthly period or women who have just given birth are allowed to touch the sacrifices. All this proves that they are not gods — do not worship them.
30. How can they ever be called gods, when women are allowed to make offerings to these things made of wood, silver, and gold?
31. The priests even sit in the temples when they are in mourning, with torn clothes and shaved, uncovered heads.
32. The priests roar and shout in the presence of their gods as if they were taking part in a funeral feast.