Letter of Jeremiah 57-59

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

⁵⁷ Gods made of wood and overlaid with silver and gold are unable to save themselves from thieves or robbers. ⁵⁸ Anyone who can will strip them of their gold and silver and of the robes they wear, and go off with this booty, and they will not be able to help themselves. ⁵⁹ So it is better to be a king who shows his courage, or a household utensil that serves its owner’s need, than to be these false gods; better even the door of a house that protects its contents, than these false gods; better also a wooden pillar in a palace, than these false gods.