Jeremiah 10
1“Hear the word that Yahweh is announcing to you, house of Israel. 1
2Yahweh says this, 'Do not learn the ways of the nations, 1 and do not be dismayed by the signs in the heavens, for the nations are dismayed by these. 1
3For the religious customs of these people are worthless. 1 They cut down a tree in the forest, and the craftsman carves the wood. 1
4Then they decorate it with silver and gold. They strengthen it with hammer and nails so it will not fall over. 1
5What they make with their hands is like scarecrows in a cucumber field, because they, too, can say nothing, and they have to be carried because they cannot walk. 1 Do not fear them, for they cannot bring about evil, nor are they able to do anything good.'” 1
6There is no one like you, Yahweh. You are great, and your name is great in power. 1
7Who does not fear you, king of the nations? For this is what you deserve, 1 for there is no one like you among all the wise men of the nations or all their royal kingdoms. 1
8They are all the same, they are brutish and stupid, disciples of idols that are nothing but wood. 1
9They bring hammered silver from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz made by artificers, 1 the hands of refiners. Their clothes are blue and purple cloth. Their skillful men made all of these things. 1
10But Yahweh is the true God. He is the living God and eternal king. 1 The earth quakes at his anger, and the nations cannot endure his anger. 1
11You will speak to them like this, “The gods that did not make the heavens and earth 1 will perish from the earth and from under these heavens.” 1
12But it was he who made the earth by his power, and he established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding he stretched out the heavens. 1
13His voice makes the roar of waters in the heavens, and he brings up the mists from the ends of the earth. 1 He makes lightning for the rain and sends out wind from his storehouse. 1
14Every man has become ignorant, without knowledge. Every metalworker is put to shame by his idols. 1 For his cast images are frauds; there is no life in them. 1
15They are useless, the work of mockers; they will perish at the time of their punishment. 1
16But God, the portion of Jacob, is not like these, for he is the molder of all things. 1 Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; Yahweh of hosts is his name. 1
17Gather your bundle and leave the land, you people who have been living under the siege. 1
18For Yahweh says this, “See, I am about to throw the inhabitants of the land out this time. 1 I will cause them distress, and they will find it to be so.” 1
19Woe to me! Because of my broken bones, my wound is infected. 1 So I said, “Surely this is agony, but I must bear it.” 1
20My tent is devastated, and all of my tent cords are cut in two. 1 They have taken my children away from me, so they no longer exist. There is no longer anyone to spread out my tent or to raise up my tent curtains. 1
21For the shepherds are stupid and they do not seek Yahweh; 1 so they have not prospered, and all their flock has been scattered. 1
22The report of news has arrived, “See! It is coming, a great earthquake is coming from the land of the north 1 To make the cities of Judah into ruins, hideouts for jackals.” 1
23I know, Yahweh, that the way of a man does not come from himself. No person walking directs his own steps. 1
24Discipline me, Yahweh, with justice, not in your anger or you would destroy me. 1
25Pour your fury on the nations that do not know you and on the families that do not call on your name. 1 For they have devoured Jacob and consumed him so as to completely destroy him and demolish his habitation.