Wisdom 13 - Revised Version with Apocrypha 1885, 1895(RV1895)

1For verily all men by nature were but circling luminaries of heaven,

They thought to be gods that rule the world.

3And if it was through delight in their influence,

greatness of the beauty even of created things

In like proportion does man form the image of their first maker.

6But yet for these men there is but small blame,

For they too peradventure do but go astray

living among his works they make diligent search,

And they yield themselves up to sight, because the things that they look upon are beautiful.

8But again even the course of things,

How is it that they did not sooner find the Sovereign Lord of these his works?

10But miserable were they, and in were their hopes,

Who called them gods which are woodcutter, having sawn down a tree that is easily moved,

Skilfully strippeth away all its bark,

And fashioning it in comely form maketh indolence;

Then he giveth it the semblance of the image of a man,

14Or maketh it like some paint colouring it red,

And smearing over every stain that is therein;

15And having made for it a chamber worthy of it,

getting and good success of his hands

He asketh ability of that which with its hands is most unable.