55 Heb “Woe [to] the one who says.” On the term הוֹי (hoy) see the note on the word “dead” in v. .
56 The words “he who says” in the translation are supplied from the previous parallel line.
57 Though the Hebrew text has no formal interrogative marker here, the context indicates that the statement should be taken as a rhetorical question anticipating the answer, “Of course not!” (so also , ).

In other versions

Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake;

to a silent stone, Arise!

Can this teach?

Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver,

and there is no breath at all in it.

Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’

Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’

Can it give guidance?

It is covered with gold and silver;

there is no breath in it.”

Woe to him who says to wood: Wake up!

or to mute stone: Come alive!

Can it teach?

Look! It may be plated with gold and silver,

yet there is no breath in it at all.

What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols,

‘Wake up and save us!’

To speechless stone images you say,

‘Rise up and teach us!’

Can an idol tell you what to do?

They may be overlaid with gold and silver,

but they are lifeless inside.

Woe to him who says to the wood, ‘Wake up!’

And to a lifeless stone, ‘Arise!’

Can he teach?

Look, it is covered with gold and silver,

and there is no breath within it.

Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach!

Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver,

And there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

Public Domain