Jeremiah 10

International Standard Version

“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.
³ 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.
⁴ They decorate it with silver and gold.
    They secure it with nails and hammers
        so it won’t totter.
⁵ 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.”

⁶ There is no one like you, Lord.
    You are great, and your name is great and powerful.
⁷ Who wouldn’t fear you, king of the nations?
    This is what you deserve!
Indeed, among all the wise men of the nations,
    and throughout all their kingdoms,
        there is no one like you!
⁸ Everyone is stupid^[d] and senseless.
    They follow worthless instruction
        from a piece of wood!^[e]
9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish,
    and gold from Uphaz.
The idols are^[f] the work of a craftsman^[g]
    and of the hands of a goldsmith.
Their clothing is violet and purple.
    The idols^[h] are all the work of skilled craftsmen.
¹⁰ The Lord is the true God;
    he’s the living God and the everlasting king.
At his wrath the earth quakes,
    and the nations cannot endure his indignation.

“I’m going to throw out the inhabitants
    of the land at this time,
and I’ll bring distress on them
    so they’ll experience^[s] it.”

¹⁹ Woe is me because of my injury.
    My wound is severe.
I said, “Truly this is my sickness,
    and I must bear it.
²⁰ My tent is destroyed,
    and all my tent cords are broken.
My sons have gone away from me,
    they no longer live.
There is no one to pitch my tent again
    and set up my curtains.
²¹ Because the shepherds are stupid^[t]
    and don’t seek^[u] the Lord,
therefore, they don’t prosper,
    and their flock is scattered.
²² The sound of a report, it’s coming now!
    There is a great commotion from a land in the north
to make the towns of Judah desolate,
    a refuge for jackals.”