Baruch 6:38-73

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition

³⁸ They cannot take pity on a widow or do good to an orphan. ³⁹ These things that are made of wood and overlaid with gold and silver are like stones from the mountain, and those who serve them will be put to shame. ⁴⁰ Why then must anyone think that they are gods, or call them gods?

The Foolishness of Worshipping Idols

Besides, even the Chaldeans themselves dishonour them; for when they see someone who cannot speak, they bring Bel and pray that the mute may speak, as though Bel^[a] were able to understand! ⁴¹ Yet they themselves cannot perceive this and abandon them, for they have no sense. ⁴² And the women, with cords around them, sit along the passageways, burning bran for incense. ⁴³ When one of them is led off by one of the passers-by and is taken to bed by him, she derides the woman next to her, because she was not as attractive as herself and her cord was not broken. ⁴⁴ Whatever is done for these idols^[b] is false. Why then must anyone think that they are gods, or call them gods?

⁴⁵ They are made by carpenters and goldsmiths; they can be nothing but what the artisans wish them to be. ⁴⁶ Those who make them will certainly not live very long themselves; ⁴⁷ how then can the things that are made by them be gods? They have left only lies and reproach for those who come after. ⁴⁸ For when war or calamity comes upon them, the priests consult together as to where they can hide themselves and their gods.^{[c] 49} How then can one fail to see that these are not gods, for they cannot save themselves from war or calamity? ⁵⁰ Since they are made of wood and overlaid with gold and silver, it will afterwards be known that they are false. ⁵¹ It will be manifest to all the nations and kings that they are not gods but the work of human hands, and that there is no work of God in them. ⁵² Who then can fail to know that they are not gods?^[d]

⁵³ For they cannot set up a king over a country or give rain to people. ⁵⁴ They cannot judge their own cause or deliver one who is wronged, for they have no power; ⁵⁵ they are like crows between heaven and earth. When fire breaks out in a temple of wooden gods overlaid with gold or silver, their priests will flee and escape, but the gods^[e] will be burned up like timbers. ⁵⁶ Besides, they can offer no resistance to king or enemy. Why then must anyone admit or think that they are gods?

⁵⁷ Gods made of wood and overlaid with silver and gold are unable to save themselves from thieves or robbers. ⁵⁸ Anyone who can will strip them of their gold and silver and of the robes they wear, and go off with this booty, and they will not be able to help themselves. ⁵⁹ So it is better to be a king who shows his courage, or a household utensil that serves its owner’s need, than to be these false gods; better even the door of a house that protects its contents, than these false gods; better also a wooden pillar in a palace, than these false gods.

⁶⁰ For sun and moon and stars are bright, and when sent to do a service, they are obedient. ⁶¹ So also the lightning, when it flashes, is widely seen; and the wind likewise blows in every land. ⁶² When God commands the clouds to go over the whole world, they carry out his command. ⁶³ And the fire sent from above to consume mountains and woods does what it is ordered. But these idols^[f] are not to be compared with them in appearance or power. ⁶⁴ Therefore one must not think that they are gods, nor call them gods, for they are not able either to decide a case or to do good to anyone. ⁶⁵ Since you know then that they are not gods, do not fear them.

⁶⁶ They can neither curse nor bless kings; ⁶⁷ they cannot show signs in the heavens for the nations, or shine like the sun or give light like the moon. ⁶⁸ The wild animals are better than they are, for they can flee to shelter and help themselves. ⁶⁹ So we have no evidence whatever that they are gods; therefore do not fear them.

⁷⁰ Like a scarecrow in a cucumber bed, which guards nothing, so are their gods of wood, overlaid with gold and silver. ⁷¹ In the same way, their gods of wood, overlaid with gold and silver, are like a thornbush in a garden on which every bird perches; or like a corpse thrown out in the darkness. ⁷² From the purple and linen^[g] that rot upon them you will know that they are not gods; and they will finally be consumed themselves, and be a reproach in the land. ⁷³ Better, therefore, is someone upright who has no idols; such a person will be far above reproach.