Jeremiah 10:1-18 ▼

1 Hear the word that YHWH speaks to you?, O house of Israel.

2 Thus says YHWH: “Upon the way of the nations do not train; and do not be dismayed from the signs of the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by them.

3 For the customs of the peoples are vanity! For one cuts down a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman, with the ax.

4 They decorate it with silver and with gold, they fasten it with nails and with hammers so that it will not totter.

5 They are like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, and they do not speak; They must be carried, because they can not step. You should not be afraid of them, for they can do no harm, and also to do good is not in them.”

6 There is none like You, O YHWH! You are great, and great is Your name in might.

7 Who does not fear You O King of the nations? Indeed, it is fitting for you! Because among all the wise ones of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, is none like You.

8 But they are altogether senseless and foolish, the teaching of of vanities, it is of wood!

9 Beaten Silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of a craftsman and of the hands of a refiner; blue and purple are their clothing, the work of skillful ones—all of them.

10 And YHWH is the true God; He is the living God, and King forever! At His wrath the earth trembles, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.

11 Thus you? shall say to them: “The gods that the heavens and the earth have not made shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

12 He has made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom, and by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens.

13 When He gives forth His voice, a tumult of waters is in the heavens, and He makes the vapors to rise from the end of the earth; He makes the lightning for the rain, and He brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

14 All mankind has become stupid in knowledge! Every refiner is put to shame by an idol; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is not breath in them.

15 They are vanity, a work of errors; in the time of their punishment they shall perish.

16 The portion of Jacob is not like these; for the Maker of all is He, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance—YHWH of Hosts is His name!

17 Gather up your bundle from the land, O inhabitant of the fortress!

18 For thus says YHWH: “Behold, I am slinging out those dwelling in the land at this time, and I will cause distress for them, so that they are found out!”