They did throw the gods of the nations into the fire. But those were not real gods. They were only wood and stone—statues that men made. That is why the kings of Assyria could destroy them.
Isaiah 44:9 - Easy To Read Version Some people make statues (false gods)—but they are worthless. People love those statues—but the statues are useless. Those people are the witnesses of the statues—but they can’t see. They know nothing—they don’t know enough to be ashamed \{of the things they do\}. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition All who make graven idols are confusion, chaos, and worthlessness. Their objects (idols) in which they delight do not profit them, and their own witnesses (worshipers) do not see or know, so that they are put to shame. American Standard Version (1901) They that fashion a graven image are all of them vanity; and the things that they delight in shall not profit; and their own witnesses see not, nor know: that they may be put to shame. Common English Bible Idol-makers are all as nothing; their playthings do no good. Their promoters neither see nor know anything, so they ought to be ashamed. Catholic Public Domain Version All of those who create idols are nothing, and their most beloved things will not benefit them. These are their witnesses, for they do not see, and they do not understand, so that they might be confounded. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version The makers of idols are all of them nothing: and their best beloved things shall not profit them. They are their witnesses, that they do not see nor understand, that they may be ashamed. |
They did throw the gods of the nations into the fire. But those were not real gods. They were only wood and stone—statues that men made. That is why the kings of Assyria could destroy them.
The “gods” of those nations are only statues\par made from gold and silver.\par They are only statues\par that some person made.\par
The people who make and trust those statues\par will become just like them!\par
And the people who made the statues\par will become just like them!\par Why? Because they trusted those statues\par to help them.\par
People worship their idols.\par They brag about their “gods.”\par But those people will be embarrassed.\par Their “gods” will bow down\par and worship the Lord.\par
But Lord, get ready to punish those people.\par Surely they will see it, won’t they?\par Lord, show the evil people the strong love {\cf2\super [241]} \par that you have for your people.\par Surely the evil people will be ashamed.\par Surely your enemies will be burned\par in their own fire (evil).\par
“Look, you false gods are less than nothing! You can’t do anything! Only a worthless person would want to worship you!”
All of those gods are less than nothing!\par They can’t do anything!\par Those statues are absolutely worthless!\par
But some of the people\par stopped following me.\par Those people have statues\par that are covered with gold.\par They tell those statues,\par ‘You are my gods.’\par Those people trust their false gods.\par But those people will be disappointed!\par
“You deaf people should hear me!\par You blind people should look and see me!\par
\{God says,\}“Bring out the people that have eyes but are blind. Bring out the people that have ears but are deaf. {\cf2\super [385]}
All people and all nations should also be gathered together. Maybe \{one of their false gods\} wants to tell about what happened in the beginning. They should bring their witnesses. The witnesses should speak the truth. This will show they are right.”
Workers made those gods! And all those workers are people—\{not gods\}. If all of those people would come together \{and discuss these things\}, then they would all be ashamed and afraid.
Those people don’t know what they are doing. They don’t understand! It is like their eyes are covered so they can’t see. Their hearts (minds) don’t try to understand.
That man does not know what he is doing. He is confused, so his heart leads him the wrong way. That man can’t save himself. And he can’t see that he is doing wrong. That man will not say, “This statue I am holding is a false god.”
Many people make false gods.\par But those people will be disappointed.\par All of those people will go away ashamed.\par
“You people have escaped from other nations. So gather together and come before me. (These people carry statues of false gods. These people pray to those useless gods. But the people don’t know what they are doing.
I could tell about your ‘good works’\par and all the ‘religious’ things you do;\par but those things are useless!\par
So the Lord my Master said these things.\par “My servants will eat,\par but you evil people will be hungry.\par My servants will drink,\par but you evil people will be thirsty.\par My servants will be happy,\par but you evil people will be shamed.\par
Foreign idols don’t have the power\par to bring rain.\par The sky does not have the power\par to send showers of rain down.\par You are our only hope.\par You are the One who made all these things.”\par
Has any nation ever stopped worshiping their old gods so they could worship\par new gods?\par No! And their gods are not really gods at all!\par But my people\par stopped worshiping their glorious God\par and started worshiping idols\par that are worth nothing.\par
“A thief is ashamed when people catch him.\par In the same way,\par the people of Israel are ashamed,\par the kings and leaders are ashamed,\par and the priests and prophets are ashamed.\par
The northern king will not worship any god, but he will worship power. Power and strength will be his god. His fathers didn’t love power like he does. He honors the god of power with gold and silver, expensive jewels, and gifts.
No, you did not become humble. Instead, you have turned against the Lord of heaven. You ordered the drinking cups from the Lord’s temple to be brought to you. Then you and your royal officials, your wives, and your women servants {\cf2\super [61]} drank wine from those cups. You gave praise to the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Those are not really gods, they can’t see, or hear, or understand anything. But you did not give honor to the God who has the power over your life and everything you do.
So \{this is what I say\} about eating meat: We know that an idol {\cf2\super [48]} is really nothing in the world. And we know that there is only one God.
The ruler {\cf2\super [17]} of this world (the devil) has blinded the minds of people who don’t believe. They cannot see the light (truth) of the Good News—the Good News about the glory of Christ. Christ is the One who is exactly like God.
Those people don’t understand. They know nothing, because they refuse to listen. So they cannot have the life that God gives.
In the past you were \{full of\} darkness (sin), but now you are \{full of\} light (goodness) in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light.
‘Cursed is the person that makes a false god and puts it in its secret place. Those false gods are only statues that some worker makes from wood, stone or metal. The Lord hates those things!’
There you will serve gods made by men—things made of wood and stone that can’t see or hear or eat or smell!
You like worshiping those gods, so go call to them for help. Let those gods save you when you are in trouble.”