13. The whole of the Egyptians, therefore, at once with the Phoenicians and the Greeks, (thus) availed themselves, contrary to humanity, of every mortal species,—even as the rising of the sun illuminates (all) the portions of the universe,—of the very elements, of the fruits²⁰ which grow out of the earth, even of their own passions²¹; and again, even of the madness of demons, and (other) delusions; and before these, of mortal men²²! Nor did they set up, during their lifetimes, the doctrine which is excellent; nor did they point out to men, the instruction which attends purity of life; nor did they shew forth the requirements of (true) philosophy, or discover the practices favourable (to this) : nor did they leave behind themselves any disciples of their superiority, or deliver either precepts or writings conducing to happiness of life²³. On the contrary, they busied themselves with women, and the baser lusts ; and, as it happened,—I know not by what error of the participation in the deeds of Demons,—they named (these) Gods and Demigods, and honoured (them) with sacrifices, and services (connected) with the error of enchanters ! They also built Fanes and Temples (to these) both in the cities and villages: but Him who alone is beyond the universe, THE WORD OF GOD in verity, the King of all, and Maker of all, they set at nought!

These same multiplied all this, in the madness and corruption of (their) mind, to such an extent, that they forthwith called any men, with whom they happened to meet, Gods; and immediately attached themselves to these same passions of mortals! And to these did they ascribe lawless adulteries, abominable deeds, and perverse lives and deaths. Nor did these things come from others, so that they could say these were their calumniators; but they themselves are the witnesses of these things, confessing the error, the sorrows, the deaths; and prior to these, the adulteries, the corruptions, of men (with men), and the rapes of women²⁴. Nevertheless, they filled all their cities, villages, and (other) places, with the Fanes, Images, and Temples (of these) !