Wis 14:1 

Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass 

through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more 

rotten than the vessel that carrieth him. 

Wis 14:2 

For verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built 

it by his skill. 

Wis 14:3 

But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast 

made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves; 

Wis 14:4 

Shewing that thou canst save from all danger: yea, though a 

man went to sea without art. 

Wis 14:5 

Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisdom 

should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a 

small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel 

are saved. 

Wis 14:6 

For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the 

hope of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, 

and left to all ages a seed of generation. 

Wis 14:7 

For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh. 

Wis 14:8 

But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as 

he that made it: he, because he made it; and it, because, being 

corruptible, it was called god. 

Wis 14:9 

For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful 

unto God. 

Wis 14:10 

For that which is made shall be punished together with him 

that made it. 

Wis 14:11 

Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be 

a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an 

abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a 

snare to the feet of the unwise. 

Wis 14:12 

For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual 

fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life. 

Wis 14:13 

For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they 

be for ever. 

Wis 14:14 

For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and 

therefore shall they come shortly to an end. 

Wis 14:15 

For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath 

made an image of his child soon taken away, now honoured him as 

a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that 

were under him ceremonies and sacrifices. 

Wis 14:16 

Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was 

kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the 

commandments of kings. 

Wis 14:17 

Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far 

off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made 

an express image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that 

by this their forwardness they might flatter him that was 

absent, as if he were present. 

Wis 14:18 

Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set 

forward the ignorant to more superstition. 

Wis 14:19 

For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, 

forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best 

fashion. 

Wis 14:20 

And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took 

him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured. 

Wis 14:21 

And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, 

serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and 

stocks the incommunicable name. 

Wis 14:22 

Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the 

knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of 

ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace. 

Wis 14:23 

For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, or used 

secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites; 

Wis 14:24 

They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: 

but either one slew another traiterously, or grieved him by 

adultery. 

Wis 14:25 

So that there reigned in all men without exception blood, 

manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, 

unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury, 

Wis 14:26 

Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, 

defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, 

adultery, and shameless uncleanness. 

Wis 14:27 

For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the 

beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil. 

Wis 14:28 

For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, 

or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves. 

Wis 14:29 

For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life; 

though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt. 

Wis 14:30 

Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both 

because they thought not well of God, giving heed unto idols, 

and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness. 

Wis 14:31 

For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is 

the just vengeance of sinners, that punisheth always the offence 

of the ungodly.