Logos Bible Study

Isaiah 40:19–20

New International Version (2011)Other versions

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19As for an idol,u a metalworker casts it,

and a goldsmithv overlays it with goldw

and fashions silver chains for it.

20A person too poor to present such an offering

selects woodx that will not rot;

they look for a skilled worker

to set up an idoly that will not topple.z

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Cross references

  1. uSee Ex 20:4; Ps 115:4; See Isa 37:19; 42:17; Jer 2:8, 28; 10:8; 16:19; Hab 2:18; Zec 10:2
  2. vIsa 41:7; 46:6; Jer 10:3
  3. wIsa 2:20; 31:7
  4. xIsa 44:19
  5. ySee 1 Sa 12:21
  6. zSee 1 Sa 5:3

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

An idol! A craftsman casts it,

and a goldsmith overlays it with gold

and casts for it silver chains.

He who is too impoverished for an offering

chooses wood that will not rot;

he seeks out a skillful craftsman

to set up an idol that will not move.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

An idol?—something that a smelter casts

and a metalworker plates with gold

and makes silver chains for?

A poor person contributes wood for a pedestal

that will not rot.

He looks for a skilled craftsman

to set up an idol that will not fall over.

NLTNew Living Translation

Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold,

overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains?

Or if people are too poor for that,

they might at least choose wood that won’t decay

and a skilled craftsman

to carve an image that won’t fall down!

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

A craftsman pours out the idol,

and a goldsmith overlays it with gold,

and he smelts chains of silver.

The one who is too impoverished for a gift chooses wood that will not rot;

he seeks a skillful artisan for himself to set up an image that will not be knocked over.

KJV 1900King James Version

The workman melteth a graven image,

And the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold,

And casteth silver chains.

He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot;

He seeketh unto him a cunning workman

To prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.