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| [1]Surely vayne are all men by nature, which were ignoraunt of God, and coulde not out of the good things that are seene knowe hym that of hym selfe is [euerlasting] neither toke so muche regarde of the workes that are made, as therby to knowe who was the craftesman of them: |
[1]Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not out of the good things that are seen know him that is: neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster; |
| [2]But some toke the fire, some the winde or swift ayre, some the course of the starres, some the running water, [some toke sunne and moone] or the lightes of heauen, for gods that rule the worlde. |
[2]But deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the gods which govern the world. |
| [3]But though they had such pleasure in their beautie, that they thought them to haue ben gods, yet should they haue knowen howe muche more fayrer he is that made them: For the maker of beautie hath ordayned al these thinges. |
[3]With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be gods; let them know how much better the Lord of them is: for the first author of beauty hath created them. |
| [4]Or if they marueyled at the power and worke of them, they shoulde haue perceaued therby, how much he which made these thinges is mightier then they. |
[4]But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them, how much mightier he is that made them. |
| [5]For by the greatnesse of the beautie and of the creatures, the maker therof compared with them, may playnely be knowen. |
[5]For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures proportionably the maker of them is seen. |
| [6]Notwithstanding, they are the lesse to be blamed that seeke God, and woulde finde him, & yet peraduenture misse. |
[6]But yet for this they are the less to be blamed: for they peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find him. |
| [7]For they being occupied in his works, do seeke hym diligently, and are perswaded by the sight, because the things are beautifull that are seene. |
[7]For being conversant in his works they search him diligently, and believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that are seen. |
| [8]Howebeit, yet neither are they to be excused. |
[8]Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned. |
| [9]For if their vnderstanding [and knowledge] be so great, that they can discerne the world [and the creatures] why do they not rather finde out the Lorde therof? |
[9]For if they were able to know so much, that they could aim at the world; how did they not sooner find out the Lord thereof? |
| [10]But miserable are they, and among the dead is their hope, that call them gods whiche are but the workes of mens handes, golde, siluer, and the thing that is founde out by cunning, the similitude of beastes, or any vayne stone that hath ben made by hande of olde. |
[10]But miserable are they, and in dead things is their hope, who call them gods, which are the works of men's hands, gold and silver, to shew art in, and resemblances of beasts, or a stone good for nothing, the work of an ancient hand. |
| [11]Or as whe a carpenter cutteth downe a tree meete for the purpose, and pareth of al the barke cunningly, and so by arte comely maketh a vessell profitable to the vse of life: |
[11]Now a carpenter that felleth timber, after he hath sawn down a tree meet for the purpose, and taken off all the bark skilfully round about, and hath wrought it handsomely, and made a vessel thereof fit for the service of man's life; |
| [12]And with that whiche is cut of from his worke, doth dresse his meate to fyll his belly: |
[12]And after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat, hath filled himself; |
| [13]And as for the other part that is left, whiche is profitable for nothing (for it is a crooked peece of wood and full of knobbes) he carueth it diligently by leasure, and according to the knowledge of his cunning, he geueth it some proportion, fashioneth it after the similitude of a man, |
[13]And taking the very refuse among those which served to no use, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, hath carved it diligently, when he had nothing else to do, and formed it by the skill of his understanding, and fashioned it to the image of a man; |
| [14]Or maketh it lyke some vyle beast, straketh it ouer with red, and paynteth it, and looke what foule spot is in it, he casteth some colour vpon it. |
[14]Or made it like some vile beast, laying it over with vermilion, and with paint colouring it red, and covering every spot therein; |
| [15]Then maketh he a conuenient tabernacle for it, setteth it in the wall, and maketh it fast with iron: |
[15]And when he had made a convenient room for it, set it in a wall, and made it fast with iron: |
| [16]Prouiding so for it, lest it happen to fall, for it is well knowen that it can not helpe it selfe: For why, it is but an image, and must of necessitie be helped. |
[16]For he provided for it that it might not fall, knowing that it was unable to help itself; for it is an image, and hath need of help: |
| [17]Then making prayer for his goodes, for his mariage, and for chyldren, he is not ashamed to speake to that whiche hath no soule. |
[17]Then maketh he prayer for his goods, for his wife and children, and is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life. |
| [18]For health, he maketh his petition vnto him that is sicke: for life, he humblie prayeth vnto hym that is dead: he calleth vpon hym for helpe, that hath no experience at all: and to sende hym a good iourney, he prayeth him that may not go. |
[18]For health he calleth upon that which is weak: for life prayeth to that which is dead; for aid humbly beseecheth that which hath least means to help: and for a good journey he asketh of that which cannot set a foot forward: |
| [19]And for gayne, for worke, and for successe of his affayres, he asketh power of hym whiche is without all maner of power. |
[19]And for gaining and getting, and for good success of his hands, asketh ability to do of him, that is most unable to do any thing. |