How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.
The law of the Lord is with us - (Romans 2:17, "Behold, thou art called a Jew and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God"). Possessing the law, on which they prided themselves, the Jews might have become the wisest of nations; but by their neglecting its precepts the law became given "in vain," as far as they were concerned.
In vain made he it - "He means God." Through the Jews' perversity God's gift of the law was made unavailing to them.
The pen of the scribes is in vain - "in vain" copies were multiplied by transcribers. Maurer translates, 'The false pen of the scribes hath converted it (the law) into a lie,' namely, by false interpretations of it. He understands "scribes" in the sense which the term latterly bore, persons skilled in EXPOUNDING the law. See margin, which agrees with Vulgate.