They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there. It can’t even move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It can’t rescue anyone from trouble.
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!
The idol makers encourage one another, saying to each other,“ Be strong!”The carver encourages the goldsmith, and the molder helps at the anvil.“ Good,” they say.“ It’s coming along fine.” Carefully they join the parts together, then fasten the thing in place so it won’t fall over.
The blacksmith stands at his forge to make a sharp tool, pounding and shaping it with all his might. His work makes him hungry and weak. It makes him thirsty and faint.