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:

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.

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 ^note fayrer he is that made them: For the ^note maker of beautie hath ordayned al these thinges.

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.

5   For by the greatnesse of the beautie and of the creatures, the maker therof compared with them, may playnely be ^note knowen.

6   Notwithstanding, they are the lesse to be blamed that seeke God, and woulde finde him, ∧ yet peraduenture ^note misse.

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. B   

8   Howebeit, yet neither are they to be excused.

9   For if their vnderstanding [and knowledge] be so great, that they can ^note discerne the world [and the creatures] why do they not rather finde out the Lorde therof?

10   But miserable are they, and ^note 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 ^note cunning, the similitude of beastes, or any vayne stone that hath ben made by hande of olde.

11   Or as wh&ebar; 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:

12   And with that whiche is cut of from his worke, doth dresse his meate to fyll his belly:

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, C   

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.

15   Then maketh he a ^note conuenient tabernacle for it, setteth it in the wall, and maketh it fast with iron:

16   Prouiding so for it, lest it happen to

fall, ^note 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.

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.

18   For health, he maketh his petition vnto him that is ^note sicke: for life, he humblie prayeth vnto hym that is dead: he ^note 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.

19   And for gayne, for worke, and for successe of his affayres, he asketh power of hym whiche is without all maner of power.

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