¹⁷ “Everyone is senseless and without knowledge;
    every goldsmith is shamed by his idols.
The images he makes are a fraud;^(A)
    they have no breath in them.

¹⁸ “Of what value^(A) is an idol^(B) carved by a craftsman?
    Or an image^(C) that teaches lies?
For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation;
    he makes idols that cannot speak.^(D)
19 Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’
    Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’^(E)
Can it give guidance?
    It is covered with gold and silver;^(F)
    there is no breath in it.”^(G)

¹⁴ Everyone is senseless and without knowledge;
    every goldsmith is shamed^(A) by his idols.
The images he makes are a fraud;^(B)
    they have no breath in them.

¹⁸ They know nothing, they understand^(A) nothing;
    their eyes^(B) 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^(C) to say,
“Half of it I used for fuel;^(D)
    I even baked bread over its coals,
    I roasted meat and I ate.
Shall I make a detestable^(E) thing from what is left?
    Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”^(F)
20 Such a person feeds on ashes;^(G) a deluded^(H) heart misleads him;
    he cannot save himself, or say,
    “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?^(I)”

² The Lord looks down from heaven^(A)
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,^(B)
    any who seek God.^(C)

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”^[a](A)

² “Announce and proclaim^(A) among the nations,
    lift up a banner^(B) and proclaim it;
    keep nothing back, but say,
‘Babylon will be captured;^(C)
    Bel^(D) will be put to shame,^(E)
    Marduk^(F) filled with terror.
Her images will be put to shame
    and her idols^(G) filled with terror.’

¹⁷ They have ears, but cannot hear,
    nor is there breath^(A) in their mouths.
¹⁸ Those who make them will be like them,
    and so will all who trust in them.