1 For all men who were ignorant of God were foolish by nature;

and they were unable from the good things that are seen to know him who exists,

nor did they recognize the craftsman while paying heed to his works;

2 but they supposed that either fire or wind or swift air,

or the circle of the stars, or turbulent water,

or the luminaries of heaven were the gods that rule the world.

3 If through delight in the beauty of these things menp assumed them to be gods,

let them know how much better than these is their Lord,

for the author of beauty created them.

4 And if menp were amazed at their power and working,

let them perceive from them

how much more powerful is he who formed them.

5 For from the greatness and beauty of created things

comes a corresponding perception of their Creator.

6 Yet these men are little to be blamed,

for perhaps they go astray

while seeking God and desiring to find him.

7 For as they live among his works they keep searching,

and they trust in what they see, because the things that are seen are beautiful.

8 Yet again, not even they are to be excused;

9 for if they had the power to know so much

that they could investigate the world,

how did they fail to find sooner the Lord of these things?