The True God and Worthless Idols

1Hear the message that the LORD has spoken to you, house of Israel. 2This is what the LORD says:

“Don’t learn the way of the nations,

and don’t be terrified by signs in the heavens,

though the nations are terrified of them.

3For the practicesa of the people are worthless.

Indeed, a tree is cut down from the forest;

it’s the work of the hands of a craftsmanb with an ax.

4They decorate it with silver and gold.

They secure it with nails and hammers

so it won’t totter.

5Their idolsc are like scarecrows in a cucumber field.

They can’t speak!

They must always be carried

because they can’t walk!

Don’t be afraid of them

because they can do no harm,

nor can they do any good.”

6There is no one like you, LORD.

You are great, and your name is great and powerful.

7Who wouldn’t fear you, king of the nations?

This is what you deserve!

Indeed, among all the wise men of the nations,

and throughout all their kingdoms,

there is no one like you!

8Everyone is stupidd and senseless.

They follow worthless instruction

from a piece of wood!e

9Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish,

and gold from Uphaz.

The idols aref the work of a craftsmang

and of the hands of a goldsmith.

Their clothing is violet and purple.

The idolsh are all the work of skilled craftsmen.

10The LORD is the true God;

he’s the living God and the everlasting king.

At his wrath the earth quakes,

and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

11i Tell this to them: “The gods whoj didn’t make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from these heavens.”

A Hymn of Praise to God

12The LORD isk the one who made

the world by his power,

who established the earth by his wisdom

and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

13When his voice sounds there is thunder

from the waters of heaven,

and he makes clouds rise up from

the ends of the earth.

He makes lightning for the rain

and brings wind out of his storehouses.

14Everyone is stupidl and without knowledge.

Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols,

for his images are false.m

There is no lifen in them.

15They’re worthless, a work of mockery,

and when the time of punishment comes,o

they’ll perish.

16The Portion of Jacobp is not like these.

He made everything,

and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance.

The LORD of the Heavenly Armies is his name.

The Coming Captivity of Judah

17You who live under siege,

Gather up your bundleq from the ground.r

18For this is what the LORD says:

“I’m going to throw out the inhabitants

of the land at this time,

and I’ll bring distress on them

so they’ll experiences it.”

19Woe is me because of my injury.

My wound is severe.

I said, “Truly this is my sickness,

and I must bear it.

20My tent is destroyed,

and all my tent cords are broken.

My sons have gone away from me,

they no longer live.

There is no one to pitch my tent again

and set up my curtains.

21Because the shepherds are stupidt

and don’t seeku the LORD,

therefore, they don’t prosper,

and their flock is scattered.

22The sound of a report, it’s coming now!

There is a great commotion from a land in the north

to make the towns of Judah desolate,

a refuge for jackals.”

Jeremiah’s Prayer

23LORD, I know that a person’s life is not his to control,v

nor does a person establish his way in life.w

24LORD, correct me, but with justice,

not with anger.

Otherwise, you’ll bring me to nothing.

25Pour out your anger on the nations

that don’t acknowledge you,

and on the families that don’t call on your name.

For they have devoured Jacob;

they have devoured and consumed him;

they have devastated his habitation.