Wis 15:1 

But thou, O God, art gracious and true, longsuffering, and in 

mercy ordering all things, 

Wis 15:2 

For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will 

not sin, knowing that we are counted thine. 

Wis 15:3 

For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy 

power is the root of immortality. 

Wis 15:4 

For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, 

nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter's 

fruitless labour; 

Wis 15:5 

The sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so 

they desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath. 

Wis 15:6 

Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they 

that worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to 

have such things to trust upon. 

Wis 15:7 

For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel 

with much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he 

maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise 

also all such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of 

either sort, the potter himself is the judge. 

Wis 15:8 

And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the 

same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth 

himself, and within a little while after returneth to the same, 

out when his life which was lent him shall be demanded. 

Wis 15:9 

Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much 

labour, nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel 

goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the 

workers in brass, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit 

things. 

Wis 15:10 

His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his 

life of less value than clay: 

Wis 15:11 

Forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired 

into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit. 

Wis 15:12 

But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a 

market for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way, 

though it be by evil means. 

Wis 15:13 

For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels 

and graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others. 

Wis 15:14 

And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in 

subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very 

babes. 

Wis 15:15 

For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods: 

which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw 

breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as 

for their feet, they are slow to go. 

Wis 15:16 

For man made them, and he that borrowed his own spirit 

fashioned them: but no man can make a god like unto himself. 

Wis 15:17 

For being mortal, he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands: 

for he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth: 

whereas he lived once, but they never. 

Wis 15:18 

Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful: 

for being compared together, some are worse than others. 

Wis 15:19 

Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in 

respect of beasts: but they went without the praise of God and 

his blessing.