6:52 Who then may not know that they are no gods? 6:53 For neither can they set up a king in the land, nor give rain unto men. 6:54 Neither can they judge their own cause, nor redress a wrong, being unable: for they are as crows between heaven and earth. 6:55 Whereupon when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or laid over with gold or silver, their priests will flee away, and escape; but they themselves shall be burned asunder like beams. 6:56 Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods? 6:57 Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers. 6:58 Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong do take, and go away withal: neither are they able to help themselves. 6:59 Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power, or else a profitable vessel in an house, which the owner shall have use of, than such false gods; or to be a door in an house, to keep such things therein, than such false gods, or a pillar of wood in a palace, than such false gods. 6:60 For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient. 6:61 In like manner the lightning when it breaketh forth is easy to be seen; and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country. 6:62 And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden. 6:63 And the fire sent from above to consume hills and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are like unto them neither in shew nor power. 6:64 Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing, they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men. 6:65 Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not, 6:66 For they can neither curse nor bless kings: 6:67 Neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon. 6:68 The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves. 6:69 It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not. 6:70 For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold. 6:71 And likewise their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold, are like to a white thorn in an orchard, that every bird sitteth upon; as also to a dead body, that is cast into the dark. 6:72 And ye shall know them to be no gods by the bright purple that rotteth upon them: and they themselves afterward shall be eaten, and shall be a reproach in the country. 6:73 Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols: for he shall be far from reproach. The Song of the Three Holy Children