The craftsman encourages the metalworker; the one who flattens with the hammer encourages 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.
Isaiah 40:20 - Christian Standard Bible Anglicised A poor person contributes wood for a pedestal that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not fall over. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition He who is so impoverished that he has no offering or oblation or rich gift to give [to his god is constrained to make a wooden offering, an idol; so he] chooses a tree that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to carve and set up an image that will not totter or deteriorate. American Standard Version (1901) He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved. Common English Bible The one who sets up an image chooses wood that won’t rot and then seeks a skilled artisan to set up an idol that won’t move. Catholic Public Domain Version He has chosen strong wood that will not decay. The skillful artisan seeks a way to set up an idol that cannot be moved. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version He hath chosen strong wood, and that will not rot: the skilful workman seeketh how he may set up an idol that may not be moved. |
The craftsman encourages the metalworker; the one who flattens with the hammer encourages 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.
The ironworker labours 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.
They lift it to their shoulder and bear it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands; it does not budge from its place. They cry out to it but it doesn’t answer; it saves no one from his trouble.
Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of the heavens. The vessels from his house were brought to you, and as you and your nobles, wives, and concubines drank wine from them, you praised the gods made of silver and gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or understand. But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in his hand and who controls the whole course of your life. ,
They drank the wine and praised their gods made of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.