27 The service of idols unworthy of name is the beginning, and the cause, and the end of all evil,

28 For they are either rejoicing and raging, or prophesying a lie, or living iniquity, or speedily breaking their oath.

29 Trusting in soulless idols, they do not think of being punished for swearing unjustly.

30 But for both these things shall come condemnation upon them, and because they have thought wickedly of God, turning to idols, and because they have sworn falsely, deceitfully despising the holy.

31 For it is not the power of those by whom they swear, but the judgment of those who sin always follows the transgression of the unrighteous.

Chapter 15

1 But thou, our God, art good and true, long-suffering, and governest all things mercifully.

2 If we sin, we are thine, acknowledging thy authority; but we will not sin, knowing that we are recognized as Thine.

3 To know thee is complete righteousness, and to acknowledge thy authority is the root of immortality.

4 We are not deceived by the cunning invention of man, nor by the fruitless labor of artists, images speckled with divers colors,

5 the sight of which arouses in the insane lust and lust for the soulless appearance of the dead image.

6 And they that do, and lust, and honour, are lovers of evil, worthy of such hopes.

7 The potter crumples the soft earth, carefully molds every vessel for our service; from one and the same clay he makes vessels necessary for both clean and unclean works – all in the same way; but what is the use of each of them, the judge is the same potter.

8 And the vain laborer of the same clay fashioneth a vain god, while he himself was born of the earth lately, and will soon go to the same whence he was taken, and the debt of his soul shall be exacted from him.