Add parallel Print Page Options

10 Hear the word which Yahweh speaks to you, house of Israel! Yahweh says,

“Don’t learn the way of the nations,
    and don’t be dismayed at the signs of the sky;
    for the nations are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the peoples are vanity;
    for one cuts a tree out of the forest,
    the work of the hands of the workman with the ax.
They deck it with silver and with gold.
    They fasten it with nails and with hammers,
    so that it can’t move.
They are like a palm tree, of turned work,
    and don’t speak.
They must be carried,
    because they can’t move.
Don’t be afraid of them;
    for they can’t do evil,
    neither is it in them to do good.”

Read full chapter

The True God and Worthless Idols

10 Hear the message that the Lord has spoken to you, house of Israel. This 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.
For the practices[a] of the people are worthless.
    Indeed, a tree is cut down from the forest;
        it’s the work of the hands of a craftsman[b] with an ax.
They decorate it with silver and gold.
    They secure it with nails and hammers
        so it won’t totter.
Their idols[c] 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.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 10:3 Or customs, ordinances
  2. Jeremiah 10:3 Or engraver; i.e. a wood carver
  3. Jeremiah 10:5 Lit. They