Parallel Verses
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.
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.
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 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 So says Jehovah, Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be terrified at the signs of the heavens; for the nations are terrified at them. 3 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. 4 They adorn it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers, so that it will not wobble.
Cross References
Isaiah 44:9-20
Those who make a graven image are all of them vanity; and the things in which they delight shall not help; and they are their own witnesses. They do not see nor know, that they may be ashamed.
Isaiah 45:20
Gather yourselves and come; draw near together, escaped ones of the nations; those who set up the wood of their graven image, and those that pray to a god that cannot save. They know nothing.
Leviticus 18:30
And you shall keep My ordinance, so as not to do any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves in them. I am Jehovah your God.
1 Kings 18:26-28
And they took the bull which was given them, and they dressed, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any who answered. And they leaped on the altar which was made.
Isaiah 40:19-31
The workman melts a graven image, and the goldsmith spreads it over with gold, and casts silver chains.
Jeremiah 2:5
So says Jehovah, What injustice 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 all at once foolish and animal-like; the tree is an example of vanities.
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 with their silver and their gold, so that they may be cut off.
Habakkuk 2:18-19
What does an image profit, for its maker has carved it; a molten image, and a teacher of lies? For does the maker trust in his work on it, to make dumb idols?
Matthew 6:7
But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard.
Romans 1:21
Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
1 Peter 1:18
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers,