2 Nephi 20:15
1830 Edition
Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
Influences
Isaiah 10:15 (KJV)
Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
Changes
Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? aAs if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.!
Simple English
Can an ax brag that it’s better than the person who chops with it? Can a saw brag that it’s better than the person who uses it? That would be like a stick shaking the person who picks it up. That would be like a wooden staff lifting itself up.
Paraphrase
Should an axe brag that it’s stronger than the person swinging it? Should a saw claim it’s greater than the one cutting with it? That’s like a wooden rod trying to lift the person holding it.