The Lord of the House of Israel versus Foreign Gods (Jeremiah 10:1–16)

[Introduction]

¹Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. ²Thus says the Lord:

[Foreign Idols]

Do not learn the way of the nations,

or be dismayed at the signs of the heavens;

for the nations are dismayed at them.

³For the customs of the peoples are false (hebel):

a tree from the forest is cut down,

and worked with an ax (ma‘asad) by the hands of an artisan;

⁴people deck it with silver (kesef) and gold (zahav);

they fasten it with hammer and nails

so that it cannot move.

⁵Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,

and they cannot speak;

they have to be carried,

for they cannot walk.

Do not be afraid of them,

for they cannot do evil,

nor is it in them to do good.

[The God of Israel]

⁶There is none like you, O Lord;

You are great, and your name is great in might.

⁷Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?

For that is your due;