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.
23 They kill their children as sacrifices and conduct secret ceremonies, they follow strange customs and act like wild people,
24 they are immoral and cause great pain by being unfaithful in marriage, and they are deceitful murderers.