The gods are like one of the temple beams, but, it is said, their hearts are eaten away, as insects crawl out of the ground to consume them and their garments without their even being aware of it. Their faces are blackened by the smoke that rises in the temple. Bats and swallows and birds of every species perch on their bodies and heads, and so do cats. All this makes it abundantly clear that they are not gods. Therefore, have no fear of them.
Although they are adorned with a layer of gold, these idols will not gleam unless someone wipes off the tarnish. Even when they were being molded they did not feel anything. They were purchased no matter what the cost, yet the breath of life is not in them. Because of their lack of feet, they are borne on the shoulders of others, an indication to all of their true lack of worth. And those who serve them feel a sense of shame, inasmuch as if one of them should fall to the ground, it cannot get up by itself. If anyone sets an idol upright, it cannot move by its own devices, and if it is tipped, it cannot straighten itself on its own.
A gift offered to such idols might as well be offered to the dead. Any sacrifices made to these idols are sold by the priests, who then pocket the proceeds. Likewise, their wives salt and preserve parts of the meat that is offered, but they refuse to offer any share whatsoever to the poor or the helpless. Even women who are menstruating or who have just given birth are permitted to touch these sacrifices. Thus there should not be the slightest doubt that these are not gods; therefore, have no fear of them.
How can they be called gods, these idols of silver and gold and wood, when women serve meals to them? And in their temples, the priests sit wearing torn garments, their hair and beards shaved, and their heads uncovered. They shout and shriek in the presence of their gods as others do at a funeral banquet. The priests remove some of the idols clothing and use it to clothe their own wives and children.
Whether these gods are treated well or badly by someone, they are unable to repay that person in like manner. They can neither enthrone nor depose a king. Similarly they are incapable of bestowing wealth or money. If anyone fails to fulfill a vow made to them, they will never exact it. They will never save anyone from death or deliver the weak from the strong. They cannot restore the sight of the blind nor rescue anyone in trouble. They cannot have pity for the widow nor show concern for the orphan. These wooden statues overlaid with gold and silver are like stones quarried from the mountains, and those who worship them will be put to shame. How then can anyone consider them to be gods or call them gods?
Even the Chaldeans themselves betray their lack of respect for them, for when they see someone who is incapable of speech, they lead the mute into the temple and ask Bel to give that person the power of speech, as though Bel were able to understand. However, they are unable to reflect on their foolish practice and abandon these gods, for they lack all sense of perception. Meanwhile women, with cords around their waists, burn bran for incense. And whenever one of these has been solicited by a passer-by and lain with him, she taunts her neighbor who was not chosen because of a lesser degree of attractiveness and who has not had her cord broken. Everything that has to do with these gods is fraudulent. How then can anyone consider them to be gods or call them so?
BARUCH: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 15 - 44
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