14 Either cedar, cypress, oak,or any tree from the forestmay be chosen.Or even a pine tree plantedby the woodcarverand watered by the rain.
15 Some of the wood is usedto make a fire for heatingor for cooking.One piece is made into an idol,then the woodcarver bows downand worships it.
16 He enjoys the warm fireand the meat that was roastedover the burning coals.
17 Afterwards, he bows downto worship the wooden idol.“Protect me!” he says.“You are my god.”
18 Those who worship idols are stupid and blind!
19 They don't have enough sense to say to themselves, “I made a fire with half of the wood and cooked my bread and meat on it. Then I made something worthless with the other half. Why worship a block of wood?”
20 How can anyone be stupid enough to trust something that can be burned to ashes? No one can save themselves like that. Don't they realize that the idols they hold in their hands are not really gods?