Isaiah 44:6-17

New International Version

⁹ All who make idols^(J) are nothing,
    and the things they treasure are worthless.^(K)
Those who would speak up for them are blind;^(L)
    they are ignorant, to their own shame.^(M)
10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol,^(N)
    which can profit nothing?^(O)
11 People who do that will be put to shame;^(P)
    such craftsmen are only human beings.
Let them all come together and take their stand;
    they will be brought down to terror and shame.^(Q)

¹² The blacksmith^(R) 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.^(S)
He gets hungry and loses his strength;
    he drinks no water and grows faint.^(T)
13 The carpenter^(U) 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,^(V)
    human form in all its glory,
    that it may dwell in a shrine.^(W)
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,^(X) and the rain made it grow.
¹⁵ It is used as fuel^(Y) 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^(Z) it;
    he makes an idol and bows^(AA) 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.^(AB)”
¹⁷ From the rest he makes a god, his idol;
    he bows down to it and worships.^(AC)
He prays^(AD) to it and says,
    “Save^(AE) me! You are my god!”