10 Who but a fool would make his own god—an idol that cannot help him one bit?
11 All who worship idols will be disgracedalong with all these craftsmen—mere humans—who claim they can make a god.They may all stand together,but they will stand in terror and shame.
12 The blacksmith stands at his forge to make a sharp tool,pounding and shaping it with all his might.His work makes him hungry and weak.It makes him thirsty and faint.
13 Then the wood-carver measures a block of woodand draws a pattern on it.He works with chisel and planeand carves it into a human figure.He gives it human beautyand puts it in a little shrine.
14 He cuts down cedars;he selects the cypress and the oak;he plants the pine in the forestto be nourished by the rain.
15 Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire.With it he warms himself and bakes his bread.Then—yes, it’s true—he takes the rest of itand makes himself a god to worship!He makes an idoland bows down in front of it!
16 He burns part of the tree to roast his meatand to keep himself warm.He says, “Ah, that fire feels good.”