Isaiah 44:14-16

New International Reader's Version

¹⁴ He cuts down a cedar tree.
    Or perhaps he takes a cypress or an oak tree.
It might be a tree that grew in the forest.
    Or it might be a pine tree he planted.
    And the rain made it grow.
¹⁵ A man gets wood from trees to burn.
    He uses some of it to warm himself.
    He starts a fire and bakes bread.
But he also uses some of it to make a god and worship it.
    He makes a statue of a god and bows down to it.
¹⁶ He burns half of the wood in the fire.
    He prepares a meal over it.
He cooks meat over it.
    He eats until he is full.
He also warms himself. He says,
    “Good! I’m getting warm.
    The fire is nice and hot.”