NET Bible
"To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot; he then seeks a skilled craftsman to make an idol that will not fall over."
— Isaiah 40:20, NET Bible
“He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.”
“He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved. ”
“He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot. He seeks a skillful workman to set up an engraved image for him that will not be moved.”
“He hath chosen strong wood, and that will not rot: the skilful workman seeketh how he may set up an idol that may not be moved.”
“The wise workman makes selection of the mulberry-tree of the offering, a wood which will not become soft; so that the image may be fixed to it and not be moved.”
“He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.”
All the nations are insignificant before him; they are regarded as absolutely nothing.
To whom can you compare God? To what image can you liken him?
A craftsman casts an idol; a metalsmith overlays it with gold and forges silver chains for it.
To make a contribution one selects wood that will not rot; he then seeks a skilled craftsman to make an idol that will not fall over.
Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told to you since the very beginning? Have you not understood from the time the earth’s foundations were made?
He is the one who sits on the earth’s horizon; its inhabitants are like grasshoppers before him. He is the one who stretches out the sky like a thin curtain, and spreads it out like a pitched tent.
He is the one who reduces rulers to nothing; he makes the earth’s leaders insignificant.