The Vanity of Graven Images
W. S. Ayres. Isaiah 44:9-20 They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses… Substituting homely prose for glowing poetry we may, after a fashion, reduce the prophet's thought to propositions like the following — 1. Neither the idol nor its god knows anything, while Jehovah knows all. 2. Neither the idol nor its god can do aught, while Jehovah is almighty. 3. Neither the idol nor its god is aught, while Jehovah is the living God, God of the entire universe, and a God of love, — in a word, the perfect Personality. 4. The worship of idols or their gods is degrading, while that of Jehovah exalts and saves the soul. (W. S. Ayres.) Parallel Verses KJV: They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. WEB: Everyone who makes an engraved image is vain. The things that they delight in will not profit. Their own witnesses don't see, nor know, that they may be disappointed.