Jeremiah 10:11-24

New International Version

¹¹“Tell them this: ‘These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish^(A) from the earth and from under the heavens.’”^[a]

¹²But God made^(B) the earth^(C) by his power;
    he founded the world by his wisdom^(D)
    and stretched out the heavens^(E) by his understanding.
¹³When he thunders,^(F) the waters in the heavens roar;
    he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.
He sends lightning^(G) with the rain^(H)
    and brings out the wind from his storehouses.^(I)

¹⁴Everyone is senseless and without knowledge;
    every goldsmith is shamed^(J) by his idols.
The images he makes are a fraud;^(K)
    they have no breath in them.
¹⁵They are worthless,^(L) the objects of mockery;
    when their judgment comes, they will perish.
¹⁶He who is the Portion^(M) of Jacob is not like these,
    for he is the Maker of all things,^(N)
including Israel, the people of his inheritance^(O)—
    the Lord Almighty is his name.^(P)

Coming Destruction

¹⁷Gather up your belongings^(Q) to leave the land,
    you who live under siege.
¹⁸For this is what the Lord says:
    “At this time I will hurl^(R) out
    those who live in this land;
I will bring distress^(S) on them
    so that they may be captured.”

¹⁹Woe to me because of my injury!
    My wound^(T) is incurable!
Yet I said to myself,
    “This is my sickness, and I must endure^(U) it.”
²⁰My tent^(V) is destroyed;
    all its ropes are snapped.
My children are gone from me and are no more;^(W)
    no one is left now to pitch my tent
    or to set up my shelter.
²¹The shepherds^(X) are senseless^(Y)
    and do not inquire of the Lord;^(Z)
so they do not prosper^(AA)
    and all their flock is scattered.^(AB)
²²Listen! The report is coming—
    a great commotion from the land of the north!^(AC)
It will make the towns of Judah desolate,^(AD)
    a haunt of jackals.^(AE)

Jeremiah’s Prayer

²³Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own;
    it is not for them to direct their steps.^(AF)
²⁴Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure—
    not in your anger,^(AG)
    or you will reduce me to nothing.^(AH)