¹⁸ With whom, then, will you compare God?^(A)
    To what image^(B) will you liken him?
¹⁹ As for an idol,^(C) a metalworker casts it,
    and a goldsmith^(D) overlays it with gold^(E)
    and fashions silver chains for it.
²⁰ A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood^(F) that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol^(G) that will not topple.^(H)

¹⁰ Who shapes a god and casts an idol,^(A)
    which can profit nothing?^(B)
11 People who do that will be put to shame;^(C)
    such craftsmen are only human beings.
Let them all come together and take their stand;
    they will be brought down to terror and shame.^(D)

¹² The blacksmith^(E) takes a tool
    and works with it in the coals;
he shapes an idol with hammers,
    he forges it with the might of his arm.^(F)
He gets hungry and loses his strength;
    he drinks no water and grows faint.^(G)
13 The carpenter^(H) measures with a line
    and makes an outline with a marker;
he roughs it out with chisels
    and marks it with compasses.
He shapes it in human form,^(I)
    human form in all its glory,
    that it may dwell in a shrine.^(J)
14 He cut down cedars,
    or perhaps took a cypress or oak.
He let it grow among the trees of the forest,
    or planted a pine,^(K) and the rain made it grow.
¹⁵ It is used as fuel^(L) for burning;
    some of it he takes and warms himself,
    he kindles a fire and bakes bread.
But he also fashions a god and worships^(M) it;
    he makes an idol and bows^(N) down to it.
¹⁶ Half of the wood he burns in the fire;
    over it he prepares his meal,
    he roasts his meat and eats his fill.
He also warms himself and says,
    “Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.^(O)”
¹⁷ From the rest he makes a god, his idol;
    he bows down to it and worships.^(P)
He prays^(Q) to it and says,
    “Save^(R) me! You are my god!”