9 All those who form idols are losers

≈ and their expectations won’t be realised.

Their witnesses can’t see and they don’t know anything,

so they’ll be ashamed.

10 Who would form a god

≈ or an idol that never helps them?

11 All their associates will be put to shame—

craftsmen are just human beings.

Let all of them gather together and take their stand.

≈ Let them dread the consequences and be ashamed together.

12 The blacksmith takes a tool and works on the iron over the coals.

≈ He hammers it with his strong arm to form it into shape.

But then he gets hungry and feels weaker.

≈ If he doesn’t drink water, he’ll feel exhausted.

13 The carpenter measures a piece of wood.

He outlines it with a marker and works it with his chisels.

He outlines it with a compass and makes it like the figure of a man—

like a good-looking man who might live in a house.

14 He cuts down cedar trees

or selects a cypress or an oak.

He lets it grow strong among the trees in the forest.

He plants a fir tree and the rain makes it grow.

15 Then the wood is used by humankind to burn.

≈ The carpenter uses some of the wood to warm himself,

Yes, he kindles a fire and bakes bread on it.

He also makes a god out of it and bows down to it.

≈ He makes the wood into an idol and kneels in front of it.

16 He burns half of the wood for the fire,

and roasts meat on that half—he eats the meat and is satisfied.

He also warms himself and says ‘Aha, I’m warm,’ as he looks at the fire.

17 He uses the rest of the wood to make a god.

He makes an idol and kneels in front of it.

≈ He bows down and prays to it

→ and says, ‘Rescue me, because you’re my god.’

18 Those people don’t know and don’t understand

because their eyes are plastered over so they can’t see

≈ and their minds are prevented from having insight.

19 No one gives much thought to their actions.

They don’t apply knowledge and understanding, to say,

‘I burnt half of the wood in the fire and baked bread on the coals.

I roasted meat on it and ate it.

Then I’ll take the remainder to make a detestable idol.

I’ll bow down to a piece of wood from a tree.’

20 He eats thanks to those ashes.

He’s deceived and been led astray.

He doesn’t escape from his own situation and say,

‘I’m holding a lie in my right hand.’

21 Remember that, Yakov (Jacob),

≈ and Yisrael (Israel) because you’re my servant.

I formed you—you’re my servant Yisrael—I won’t forget about you.

22 I’ve blotted out your disobedience like a cloud.

and your sins like a fog.

Return to me because I paid the price for your freedom.

23 Shout happily you skies because Yahweh has taken action.

≈ Shout triumphantly you depths of the earth.

Sing loudly you mountains and forests and all you trees

because Yahweh has paid the price for Yakov’s freedom

≈ and will be honoured by Yisrael.

24 Yahweh, the one who paid for your freedom

and the one who formed you in the womb, says this:

I am Yahweh who made everything,

who alone stretched out the skies and formed the earth.

Who was it who helped me?

25 Who else frustrates the sign of empty-talkers,

and makes diviners look foolish?[ref]

Who else turns wise people back

and makes their knowledge seem foolish?

26 Who else confirms the words of his prophet,

and fulfills the advice of his messengers

who say that Yerushalem will be inhabited,

and that Yehudah’s towns will be rebuilt,

and the country’s ruins will be rebuilt?

27 Who else tells the deep sea to dry out,

and makes your rivers dry up?

28 Who else calls King Cyrus (Heb. Koresh) ‘my shepherd’,[ref]

and says that he’ll do everything I want?

Who else says that Yerushalem will be rebuilt,

and that the temple foundations will be restored.