Parallel Verses
King James Version
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
New American Standard Bible
Because
The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.
Holman Bible
Someone cuts down a tree from the forest;
it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel.
International Standard Version
For the practices of the people are worthless. Indeed, a tree is cut down from the forest; it's the work of the hands of a craftsman with an ax.
A Conservative Version
For the customs of the peoples are vanity. For [a man] cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
American Standard Version
For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
Amplified
For the customs and decrees of the peoples are [mere] delusion [exercises in futility];
It is only wood which one cuts from the forest [to make a god],
The work of the hands of the craftsman with the axe or cutting tool.
Bible in Basic English
For that which is feared by the people is foolish: it is the work of the hands of the workman; for a tree is cut down by him out of the woods with his axe.
Darby Translation
For the statutes of the peoples are vanity; for it is a tree cut out of the forest, worked with a chisel by the hands of the artizan;
Julia Smith Translation
For the laws of the peoples, this vanity: for they cut down a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
King James 2000
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
Lexham Expanded Bible
For the statutes of the peoples [are] vanity, for it [is] a tree cut down from [the] forest, [the] work of [the] hands of a craftsman with the tool.
Modern King James verseion
For the customs of the people are vain; for one cuts a tree out of the forest with the axe, the work of the hands of the workman.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Yea all the customs and laws of the Gentiles are nothing but vanity. They hew down a tree in the wood with the hands of the workman, and fashion it with the axe;
NET Bible
For the religion of these people is worthless. They cut down a tree in the forest, and a craftsman makes it into an idol with his tools.
New Heart English Bible
For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
The Emphasized Bible
For as for the prescribed customs of the peoples, vanity, they are, - For a tree out of the forest, one cutteth down, Work for the hands of a skilled workman with the axe:
Webster
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
World English Bible
For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.
Youngs Literal Translation
For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, For a tree from a forest hath one cut, Work of the hands of an artificer, with an axe,
Interlinear
Karath
Word Count of 20 Translations in Jeremiah 10:3
Verse Info
Context Readings
False Gods Contrasted With The Creator
2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Cross References
Isaiah 44:9-20
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.
Isaiah 45:20
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
Leviticus 18:30
Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.
1 Kings 18:26-28
And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
Isaiah 40:19-31
The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
Jeremiah 2:5
Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
Jeremiah 10:8
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Hosea 8:4-6
They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
Habakkuk 2:18-19
What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Matthew 6:7
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
1 Peter 1:18
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;