Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Yahweh: "You must not learn the way of the nations, and you must not be dismayed by the signs of the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by them. 3 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. 4 He decorates it with silver and gold, they strengthen it with nails and hammers, so that it does not stagger.
Cross References
Isaiah 44:9-20
All those who form an idol [are] nothing, and their delightful things do not profit. And their witnesses do not see or know, so they will be ashamed.
Isaiah 45:20
Assemble and come; draw near together, survivors of the nations! They do not know, those who carry {their wooden idols} and pray to a god who cannot save.
Leviticus 18:30
Thus you shall keep my obligation to not do any of the statutes {regarding} the detestable things that they did {before you}, so that you will not make yourselves unclean by them; I [am] Yahweh your God.'"
1 Kings 18:26-28
So they took the bull that he allowed to them, prepared it, and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice and there was no answer, so they limped about the altar which they had made.
Isaiah 40:19-31
A craftsman pours out the idol, and a {goldsmith} overlays it with gold, and [he] smelts chains of silver.
Jeremiah 2:5
Thus says Yahweh: "What injustice did your ancestors find in me that they were far from me, and they went after the vanity, and they became vain?
Jeremiah 10:8
{At the same time} they are stupid and foolish, [in the] instruction of idols, it [is] wood.
Hosea 8:4-6
They appointed kings, but not through me; they made officials, but without my knowledge. [With] their silver and gold they made idols for themselves for their own {destruction}.
Habakkuk 2:18-19
What value [is] an idol when its carver has fashioned it, a molten idol, a teacher of lies? For [he who] fashioned his creation trusts in it, [though] making mute idols!
Matthew 6:7
"But [when you] pray, do not babble repetitiously like the pagans, for they think that because of their many words they will be heard.
Romans 1:21
For [although they] knew God, they did not honor [him] as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasoning, and their senseless hearts were darkened.
1 Peter 1:18
[because you] know that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your ancestors not with perishable things like silver or gold,