3. But it is your care, O Father, that steers it; you give it a safe path through the waves of the sea.
4. People may go to sea even if they have no skill, because you can save them from any danger.
5. It is your will that the things you have made by your wisdom should be put to use. And so people can cross the sea in a boat and come safely to land, because they trust their lives to that small piece of wood.
6. This is what happened in ancient times, when a proud race of giants was dying away. The hope of the world escaped on such a boat under your guidance and left the world a new generation to carry on the human race.
7. A blessing was on Noah's wooden boat that allowed righteousness to survive,
8. but a curse is on an idol made by human hands. A curse is also on the one who makes it, because he works on this perishable thing and then calls it a god.
9. Ungodly people and these ungodly things they make are equally hated by God,
10. who will punish both the things made and the people who made them.
11. And so God's judgement will fall on pagan idols, because, even though they are made from something God created, they become horrible things that trap the souls of foolish people.
12. Sexual immorality began when idols were invented. They have corrupted human life ever since they were first made.
13. Idols have not always existed, nor will they exist for ever.
14. It was human pride that brought them into the world, and that is why a quick end has been planned for them.
15. Once there was a father who was overwhelmed with grief at the untimely death of his child, so he made an image of that child who had been suddenly taken from him. He then honoured a dead human being as a god, and handed on secret rituals and ceremonies to those who were under his authority.
16. As time went on, this ungodly custom became stronger. Finally it became law, and idols were being worshipped at the command of powerful rulers.