²⁷For the worship of idols not to be named
is the beginning and cause and end of every evil.
²⁸For their worshippers^* either rave in exultation,
or prophesy lies, or live unrighteously, or readily commit perjury;
²⁹for because they trust in lifeless idols
they swear wicked oaths and expect to suffer no harm.
³⁰But just penalties will overtake them on two counts:
because they thought wrongly about God in devoting themselves to idols,
and because in deceit they swore unrighteously through contempt for holiness.
³¹For it is not the power of the things by which people swear,^*
but the just penalty for those who sin,
that always pursues the transgression of the unrighteous.

Benefits of Worshipping the True God

15But you, our God, are kind and true,
patient, and ruling all things^* in mercy.
²For even if we sin we are yours, knowing your power;
but we will not sin, because we know that you acknowledge us as yours.
³For to know you is complete righteousness,
and to know your power is the root of immortality.