54. They are like crows in midair. For when fire breaks out in the temple of these wooden or gilded or silvered gods, though the priests flee and are safe, they themselves are burned up in the fire like timbers.
55. They cannot resist a king or enemy forces.
56. How then can it be admitted or thought that they are gods?They are safe from neither thieves nor bandits, these wooden and silvered and gilded gods.
57. Anyone who can will strip off the gold and the silver, and go away with the clothing that was on them; they cannot help themselves.
58. How much better to be a king displaying his valor, or a handy tool in a house, the joy of its owner, than these false gods; better the door of a house, protecting whatever is within, than these false gods; better a wooden post in a palace, than these false gods!