2 We know your mighty power,and so we remain your people,even if we sin.But knowing we are yourswill keep us from sin.
3 Nothing is more fittingthan knowing youand realizing that your poweris the way to endless life.
4 We have not been misledby wicked artists,who made bright-colored idols
5 to encourage fools to worshipthose lifeless images.
6 Those who make or worshipidols as objects of hopewill get what they deservefor loving such evil things.
7 Potters form ordinary dishes and special dishes from the same lump of clay, and only the potters decide which ones will be ordinary or special.
8 Then—wasting their energy—these potters form a useless idol from the same clay. And not long ago, these potters themselves were made from the soil and will soon turn back into soil, just like all other humans, when it is time to return our borrowed souls.