Wisdom 14:16-18

Good News Translation

¹⁶ As time went on, this ungodly custom became stronger. Finally it became law, and idols were being worshiped at the command of powerful rulers. ¹⁷ When people lived too far away to honor a ruler in his presence but were eager to pay honor to this absent king, they would imagine what he must look like, and would then make a likeness of him. ¹⁸ The ambitious artists who made these likenesses caused this worship to spread, even among people who did not know the king.