15 For example, a father made an idol to look like his child who had suddenly died, and the dead child then became an object of worship by later generations, who followed mysterious and secret ceremonies.
16 Over the years, such godless ceremonies became customs and then laws, as rulers commanded idols of themselves to be carved and worshiped.
17 And when people lived far from their rulers, they tried to make idols that looked like their rulers, so that they could honor and flatter those rulers as if they were there with them.
18-19 In fact, some people who did not know what their rulers looked like were led to worship them, because of the skill and the tireless efforts of those who made beautiful idols to please their rulers.
20 Finally, many people started worshiping their earthly rulers as gods.
21 As a result, idolatry became a hidden trap for those who were suffering or were under the authority of rulers, and they called these idols gods, although you alone are God.
22 Not only are such people ignorant about you, but this ignorance makes them terrible enemies of each other, even while they think they are living at peace.