17 And like one who has offended the king and is surrounded at every door, or like a corpse about to be carried to the grave, so do the priests secure the doors with bars and locks, lest they be plundered by robbers.
18 They light candles to them, and in great number, and still they are unable to see, for they are like logs in the house.
19 It is truly said that the creeping things, which are of the earth, gnaw their hearts, and yet when these devour them and their garments, they do not feel it.
20 Their faces are made black by the smoke that is made in the house.
21 Over their bodies and over their heads fly owls and swallows and birds, and similarly, even cats.
22 From this you should understand that they are not gods. Therefore, neither should you fear them.
23 Furthermore, the gold which they have is shiny, but unless someone wipes off the rust, they will not shine. And even when they were molten, they did not feel it.