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For truly all men who had no perception of God were foolish by nature,
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But they thought that either fire, or wind, or swift air,
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If it was through delight in their beauty that they took them to be gods,
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But if it was through astonishment at their power and influence,
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For from the greatness of the beauty of created things, mankind forms the corresponding perception of their Maker.[a]
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But yet for these men there is but small blame,
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For they diligently search while living among his works,
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But again even they are not to be excused.
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For if they had power to know so much,
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But they were miserable, and their hopes were in dead things,
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Yes and some[b] woodcutter might saw down a tree that is easily moved,
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Burning the scraps from his handiwork to cook his food,
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Taking a discarded scrap which served no purpose,
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or makes it like some worthless animal,
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Having made a worthy chamber for it,
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He plans for it that it may not fall down,
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When he makes his prayer concerning goods and his marriage and children,
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Yes, for health, he calls upon that which is weak.
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And for profit in business and good success of his hands,