Parallel Verses

Darby Translation

For the statutes of the peoples are vanity; for it is a tree cut out of the forest, worked with a chisel by the hands of the artizan;

New American Standard Bible

For the customs of the peoples are delusion;
Because it is wood cut from the forest,
The work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool.

King James Version

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

Holman Bible

for the customs of the peoples are worthless.
Someone cuts down a tree from the forest;
it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel.

International Standard Version

For the practices of the people are worthless. Indeed, a tree is cut down from the forest; it's the work of the hands of a craftsman with an ax.

A Conservative Version

For the customs of the peoples are vanity. For [a man] cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

American Standard Version

For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

Amplified


For the customs and decrees of the peoples are [mere] delusion [exercises in futility];
It is only wood which one cuts from the forest [to make a god],
The work of the hands of the craftsman with the axe or cutting tool.

Bible in Basic English

For that which is feared by the people is foolish: it is the work of the hands of the workman; for a tree is cut down by him out of the woods with his axe.

Julia Smith Translation

For the laws of the peoples, this vanity: for they cut down a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

King James 2000

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

Lexham Expanded Bible

For the statutes of the peoples [are] vanity, for it [is] a tree cut down from [the] forest, [the] work of [the] hands of a craftsman with the tool.

Modern King James verseion

For the customs of the people are vain; for one cuts a tree out of the forest with the axe, the work of the hands of the workman.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

Yea all the customs and laws of the Gentiles are nothing but vanity. They hew down a tree in the wood with the hands of the workman, and fashion it with the axe;

NET Bible

For the religion of these people is worthless. They cut down a tree in the forest, and a craftsman makes it into an idol with his tools.

New Heart English Bible

For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

The Emphasized Bible

For as for the prescribed customs of the peoples, vanity, they are, - For a tree out of the forest, one cutteth down, Work for the hands of a skilled workman with the axe:

Webster

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.

World English Bible

For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

Youngs Literal Translation

For the statutes of the peoples are vanity, For a tree from a forest hath one cut, Work of the hands of an artificer, with an axe,

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
For the customs
חקּה 
Chuqqah 
Usage: 104

of the people
עם 
`am 
Usage: 1867

הבל הבל 
hebel 
Usage: 73

כּרת 
Karath 
Usage: 287

a tree
עץ 
`ets 
Usage: 329

out of the forest
יער 
Ya`ar 
Usage: 58

the work
מעשׂה 
Ma`aseh 
Usage: 234

of the hands
יד 
Yad 
Usage: 1612

of the workman
חרשׁ 
Charash 
Usage: 37

References

Easton

Axe

Fausets

Hastings

Morish

Context Readings

False Gods Contrasted With The Creator

2 Thus saith Jehovah: Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of the heavens; for the nations are dismayed at them. 3 For the statutes of the peoples are vanity; for it is a tree cut out of the forest, worked with a chisel by the hands of the artizan; 4 they deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

Cross References

Isaiah 44:9-20

They that form a graven image are all of them vanity, and their delectable things are of no profit; and they are their own witnesses: they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

Isaiah 45:20

Gather yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations. They have no knowledge that carry the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.

Leviticus 18:30

And ye shall observe my charge, that ye commit not any of the abominable customs which were committed before you; and ye shall not make yourselves unclean therein: I am Jehovah your God.

1 Kings 18:26-28

And they took the bullock which had been given them, and sacrificed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, O Baal, answer us! But there was no voice, and none answered. And they leaped about the altar that had been made.

Isaiah 40:19-31

The workman casteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains for it.

Jeremiah 2:5

Thus saith Jehovah: What injustice have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and become vain?

Jeremiah 10:8

But they are one and all senseless and foolish; the teaching of vanities is a stock.

Hosea 8:4-6

They have set up kings, but not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not; of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.

Habakkuk 2:18-19

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it? the molten image, and the teacher of falsehood, that the maker of his work dependeth thereon, to make dumb idols?

Matthew 6:7

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as those who are of the nations: for they think they shall be heard through their much speaking.

Romans 1:21

Because, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding was darkened:

1 Peter 1:18

knowing that ye have been redeemed, not by corruptible things, as silver or gold, from your vain conversation handed down from your fathers,

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain