5 For from the greatness of the beauty even of created things In like proportion does man form the image of their first maker.
6 But yet for these men there is but small blame, For they too perhaps do but go astray While they are seeking God and desiring to find him.
7 For living among his works they make diligent search, And they yield themselves up to sight, because the things that they look upon are beautiful.
8 But again even they are not to be excused.
9 For if they had power to know so much, That they should be able to explore the course of things, How is it that they did not sooner find the Sovereign Lord of these his works?
10 But miserable were they, and in dead things were their hopes, Who called them gods which are works of men’s hands, Gold and silver, wrought with careful are, and likenesses of animals, Or a useless stone, the work of an ancient hand.
11 Yes and if some woodcutter, having sawn down a tree that is easily moved, Skilfully strippeth away all its bark, And fashioning it in comely form makes a vessel useful for the service of life;