Isaiah 44:9-20 - Idolatry Is Ridiculous
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and what they treasure does not profit.
Their witnesses do not see or know anything,
so they will be put to shame.
for no profit?
and the craftsmen are humans.
They all will assemble and stand;
they all will be startled and put to shame.
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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.
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,
like a beautiful person,
to dwell in a temple.
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.
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.
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.”
He bows down to it and worships;
He prays to it,
and cannot understand,
for He has shut their eyes
and their minds so they cannot understand.
no one has the perception or insight to say,
“I burned half of it in the fire,
I also baked bread on its coals,
I roasted meat and ate.
I will make something detestable
and I will bow down to a block of wood.”
His deceived mind has led him astray,
and he cannot deliver himself,
or say, “Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?”