19 To an idol?—something that a smelter casts,
and a metalworker plates with gold
and makes silver welds for it?(A)

Read full chapter

19 As for an idol,(A) a metalworker casts it,
    and a goldsmith(B) overlays it with gold(C)
    and fashions silver chains for it.

Read full chapter

The craftsman encourages the metalworker;(A)
the one who flattens with the hammer
supports the one who strikes the anvil,
saying of the soldering, “It is good.”
He fastens it with nails so that it will not fall over.(B)

Read full chapter

The metalworker(A) encourages the goldsmith,(B)
    and the one who smooths with the hammer
    spurs on the one who strikes the anvil.
One says of the welding, “It is good.”
    The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.(C)

Read full chapter

12 The ironworker labors over the coals,
shapes the idol with hammers,
and works it with his strong arm.
Also he grows hungry and his strength fails;
he doesn’t drink water and is faint.
13 The woodworker stretches out a measuring line,
he outlines it with a stylus;
he shapes it with chisels
and outlines it with a compass.
He makes it according to a human likeness,(A)
like a beautiful person,
to dwell in a temple.
14 He cuts down[a] cedars for his use,
or he takes a cypress or an oak.
He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest.
He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.
15 It serves as fuel for man.
He takes some of it and warms himself;
also he kindles a fire and bakes bread;
he even makes it into a god and worships it;
he makes an idol from it and bows down to it.
16 He burns half of it in a fire,
and he roasts meat on that half.
He eats the roast and is satisfied.
He warms himself and says, “Ah!
I am warm, I see the blaze.”
17 He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it.
He bows down to it and worships;
He prays to it,(B) “Save me, for you are my god.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 44:14 Lit To cut down for himself

12 The blacksmith(A) takes a tool
    and works with it in the coals;
he shapes an idol with hammers,
    he forges it with the might of his arm.(B)
He gets hungry and loses his strength;
    he drinks no water and grows faint.(C)
13 The carpenter(D) measures with a line
    and makes an outline with a marker;
he roughs it out with chisels
    and marks it with compasses.
He shapes it in human form,(E)
    human form in all its glory,
    that it may dwell in a shrine.(F)
14 He cut down cedars,
    or perhaps took a cypress or oak.
He let it grow among the trees of the forest,
    or planted a pine,(G) and the rain made it grow.
15 It is used as fuel(H) for burning;
    some of it he takes and warms himself,
    he kindles a fire and bakes bread.
But he also fashions a god and worships(I) it;
    he makes an idol and bows(J) down to it.
16 Half of the wood he burns in the fire;
    over it he prepares his meal,
    he roasts his meat and eats his fill.
He also warms himself and says,
    “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.(K)
17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol;
    he bows down to it and worships.(L)
He prays(M) to it and says,
    “Save(N) me! You are my god!”

Read full chapter

He decorates it with silver and gold.(A)
It is fastened with hammer and nails,(B)
so it won’t totter.

Read full chapter

They adorn it with silver(A) and gold;
    they fasten it with hammer and nails
    so it will not totter.(B)

Read full chapter