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. 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. 14:18 Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition. 14:19 For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion. 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 as a man. 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. 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. 14:23 For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, or used secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites; 14:24 They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but either one slew another traiterously, or grieved him by adultery. 14:25 So that there reigned in all men without exception blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury, 14:26 Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness. 14:27 For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil. 14:28 For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves. 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. 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. 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. 15:1 But thou, O God, art gracious and true, longsuffering, and in mercy ordering all things, 15:2 For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will not sin, knowing that we are counted thine. 15:3 For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality. 15:4 For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter’s fruitless labour; 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.