Isaiah 44:12-19

New International Version

¹² The blacksmith^(A) 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.^(B)
He gets hungry and loses his strength;
    he drinks no water and grows faint.^(C)
13 The carpenter^(D) 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,^(E)
    human form in all its glory,
    that it may dwell in a shrine.^(F)
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,^(G) and the rain made it grow.
¹⁵ It is used as fuel^(H) 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^(I) it;
    he makes an idol and bows^(J) 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.^(K)”
¹⁷ From the rest he makes a god, his idol;
    he bows down to it and worships.^(L)
He prays^(M) to it and says,
    “Save^(N) me! You are my god!”
¹⁸ They know nothing, they understand^(O) nothing;
    their eyes^(P) are plastered over so they cannot see,
    and their minds closed so they cannot understand.
¹⁹ No one stops to think,
    no one has the knowledge or understanding^(Q) to say,
“Half of it I used for fuel;^(R)
    I even baked bread over its coals,
    I roasted meat and I ate.
Shall I make a detestable^(S) thing from what is left?
    Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”^(T)