THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH

 

Jeremiah Chapter 10

1 ¶ Listen to what the LORD says to you, O house of Israel:

2 The LORD says, Do not imitate the ways of the heathen, and do not be frightened by the signs in the heavens; for the heathen are frightened by them.

3 For the religious beliefs of other nations are false: for a tree is cut out of the forest with an axe, and prepared by the hands of a craftsman.

4 They adorn it with silver and with gold; and fasten it with nails and with hammers, so that it does not fall over.

5 Such things are like a scarecrow in a cucumber garden, they cannot speak: they have to be carried, because they cannot move. Do not be afraid of them; for they cannot harm you, nor is it possible for them to do good.

6 For there is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in power.

7 Who should not fear you, O King of nations? for it is befitting to you: because there is none like you among all the wise men of the nations, and among all their royalty.

8 But people are altogether stupid and brutish: taking useless instruction from pieces of wood.

9 Silver beaten into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of a craftsman, and the hands of a goldsmith: they are clothed in blue and purple: and are all the work of skilled men.

10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: the earth will tremble at his wrath, and the nations will not be able to endure his indignation.

11 Tell them this, The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.

12 He made the earth by his power, he established the world by his wisdom, and he stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

13 When he utters his voice, there is the sound of many waters in the heavens, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightning flash with the rain, and brings forth the wind from his treasury.

14 Like a beast, every man is ignorant and foolish: every goldsmith should be ashamed of the idols he fashions: because his molten image is a lie, and there is no life in them.

15 They are worthless, and a work to be mocked: at the set time they will vanish.

16 But what Jacob has as his portion is not like them: because he made everything; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.

17 ¶ Pack up your belongings and leave the land, you who live under the siege.

18 For the LORD says, Behold, At this time I will throw the inhabitants out of the land, and will bring distress on them, so that they may feel it.

19 Woe is mine because of my injury! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is my suffering, and I must bear it.

20 My tent is ruined, and all my ropes are broken: my children have left me, and are no more: there is no one to set up my tent again, and put up my tent curtains.

21 For the pastors have become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they will not be blessed, and all their flocks will be scattered.

22 Listen, the sound of what is rumored is here, and the loud noise of battle comes from the north, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a haven of lizards.

23 O LORD, I know that a man does not control his own way: and no one who walks directs his own steps.

24 Correct me, O LORD, but in just measure; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.

25 Pour out your fury upon the heathen who do not know you, and upon the families that do not call on your name: because they have eaten up Jacob, devoured and consumed him, and have laid waste to his home.