[1] Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. [2] Thus
says the LORD: "Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the
signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, [3] for the
customs of the peoples are false. A tree from the forest is cut down, and
worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. [4] Men deck it with silver
and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. [5]
Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak;
they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Be not afraid of them, for
they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good." [6] There is none
like thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. [7] Who
would not fear thee, O King of the nations? For this is thy due; for among
all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none
like thee. [8] They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols
is but wood! [9] Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from
Uphaz. They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the
goldsmith; their clothing is violet and purple; they are all the work of
skilled men. [10] But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and
the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot
endure his indignation. [11] Thus shall you say to them: "The gods who did
not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from
under the heavens." [12] It is he who made the earth by his power, who
established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out
the heavens. [13] When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in
the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He
makes lightnings for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his
storehouses. [14] Every man is stupid and without knowledge; every
goldsmith is put to shame by his idols; for his images are false, and there
is no breath in them. [15] They are worthless, a work of delusion; at the
time of their punishment they shall perish. [16] Not like these is he who
is the portion of Jacob, for he is the one who formed all things, and
Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; the LORD of hosts is his name. [17]
Gather up your bundle from the ground, O you who dwell under siege! [18]
For thus says the LORD: "Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the
land at this time, and I will bring distress on them, that they may feel
it." [19] Woe is me because of my hurt! My wound is grievous. But I said,
"Truly this is an affliction, and I must bear it." [20] My tent is
destroyed, and all my cords are broken; my children have gone from me, and
they are not; there is no one to spread my tent again, and to set up my
curtains. [21] For the shepherds are stupid, and do not inquire of the
LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
[22] Hark, a rumor! Behold, it comes!--a great commotion out of the north
country to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a lair of jackals. [23] I
know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man
who walks to direct his steps. [24] Correct me, O LORD, but in just
measure; not in thy anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. [25] Pour out thy
wrath upon the nations that know thee not, and upon the peoples that call
not on thy name; for they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him and
consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation.
