20 A poor person contributes wood for a pedestal
that will not rot.[a]
He looks for a skilled craftsman
to set up an idol that will not fall over.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 40:20 Or who is too poor for such an offering, or who chooses mulberry wood as a votive gift; Hb obscure

20 A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood(A) that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol(B) that will not topple.(C)

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They lift it to their shoulder and bear it along;(A)
they set it in its place, and there it stands;
it does not budge from its place.(B)
They cry out to it but it doesn’t answer;
it saves no one from his trouble.

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They lift it to their shoulders and carry(A) it;
    they set it up in its place, and there it stands.
    From that spot it cannot move.(B)
Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer;(C)
    it cannot save(D) them from their troubles.

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