Parallel Verses
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.
New American Standard Bible
Because
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
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.
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.
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;
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
Karath
Word Count of 20 Translations in Jeremiah 10:3
Verse Info
Context Readings
False Gods Contrasted With The Creator
2 Thus says LORD: Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven, for the nations are dismayed at them. 3 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. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold. They fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it not move.
Cross References
Isaiah 44:9-20
Those who fashion a graven image are all of them vanity. And the things that they delight in shall not profit. And their own witnesses see not, nor know, that they may be put to shame.
Isaiah 45:20
Assemble 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 to a god that cannot save.
Leviticus 18:30
Therefore ye shall keep my charge, that ye not practice any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you, and that ye not defile yourselves in it. I am LORD your God.
1 Kings 18:26-28
And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped about the alt
Isaiah 40:19-31
The image, a workman has cast [it], and the goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts [for it] silver chains.
Jeremiah 2:5
Thus says LORD: What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?
Jeremiah 10:8
But they are together brutish and foolish, the instruction of idols! It is but a block of wood.
Hosea 8:4-6
They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made rulers, and I knew it not. They have made themselves idols of their silver and their gold, that they may be cut off.
Habakkuk 2:18-19
What profits the graven image, that the maker of it has engraved it, the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he who fashions its form trusts in it, to make dumb idols?
Matthew 6:7
And while praying do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard by their much speaking.
Romans 1:21
Because, although knowing God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were they thankful, but became vain in their reasonings and their heart was darkened without understanding.
1 Peter 1:18
Knowing that ye were redeemed from your vain behavior inherited from fathers, not with perishable silver or gold,