19 An idol?—something that a smelter casts
and a metalworker plates with gold
and makes silver chains for?(A)
20 A poor person contributes wood for a pedestal
that will not rot.[a]
He looks for a skilled craftsman
to set up an idol that will not fall over.(B)

21 Do you not know?(C)
Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you
from the beginning?
Have you not considered
the foundations of the earth?(D)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 40:20 Or who is too poor for such an offering, or who chooses mulberry wood as a votive gift; Hb obscure

19 As for an idol,(A) a metalworker casts it,
    and a goldsmith(B) overlays it with gold(C)
    and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood(D) that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol(E) that will not topple.(F)

21 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?(G)
Has it not been told(H) you from the beginning?(I)
    Have you not understood(J) since the earth was founded?(K)

Read full chapter