Isaiah 40:20

Isaiah 40:20 in 6 English translations. Each links through to the full chapter for context.

New International Version (NIV)

20A person too poor to present such an offering

selects wood that will not rot;

they look for a skilled worker

to set up an idol that will not topple.

20He who is too impoverished for such an offering

Selects a tree that does not rot;

He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman

To prepare an idol that will not totter.

20He who is too impoverished for such an offering

Selects a tree that does not rot;

He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman

To prepare an idol that will not totter.

20He who is too impoverished for such an offering [to give to his god]

Chooses a tree that will not rot;

He seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman

To [carve and] set up an idol that will not totter.

20One lacking such an offering

chooses wood that will not rot.

He seeks a skilled craftsman

to set up an idol that will not topple.

20But someone who is too poor to bring that kind of offering

will choose some wood that won’t rot.

Then they look for a skilled worker.

They pay the worker to make a statue of a god that won’t fall over.