Jeremiah

The Lord and the Idols

Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, people of Israel:

Thus says the Lord: “Do not follow the way of the nations and do not fear signs in the sky even though the nations fear them.

The carvings of these nations is but nothing. It is only wood cut from the forest and shaped by a craftsman’s chisel.

They adorned it with silver and gold; it is fastened down with nails to keep it from falling over.

Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field; they cannot speak. They have to be carried because they cannot walk. Have no fear of them; they can do neither harm nor good.”

No one equals you, Lord, you are great. Power is yours, and great is your name!

Who would not fear you, King of nations? You are to be feared, for among the wise of the nations and in all their kingdoms no one equals you.

They are all foolish and stupid; The instructions given by idols is no better than wood.

Silver brought from Tarshish And gold from Ophir. They are the work of the artisan and of the hands of the goldsmmish; their clothing is blue and purple; the product of skilled works.

But the Lord is the true God, the living God and eternal King. His anger makes the earth quake; the nations cannot endure his fury.

You will say this to them: “The gods who did not make either the heavens or the earth shall disappear from the earth and from under the heavens.”

By his power, he made the earth, by his wisdom he established the world; by his understanding, he extended the heavens.

When he raises his voice the waters pile up in the heavens. He calls the clouds from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and from his storehouse sends out the wind.

Everyone is too stupid to know; Every goldsmith is ashamed of his idol, which is a fraud without breath.

They are worthless, ridiculous objects; they shall perish in their time of punishment.

Not like these is the Lord, for he is the portion of Jacob: he is the one who formed all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance.

The Flocks Are Scattered

Gather your belongings and leave the land, you victims of siege,

for thus says the Lord: “I am casting the inhabitants of this land far away, and I will allow them to be chased and caught.”

Woe is me! What suffering! My wound is incurable! But I shall say: “Mine is this illness, I must bear it.”

My tent is ruined, all its cords are broken. My children have left me and are no longer here; no one remains to pitch my tent or to set up my shelter.

For the shepherds have become senseless and have not consulted the Lord; they have not prospered and all their flocks are scattered.

Heed the news! Pay attention! A great commotion is heard from the north; they are coming to turn the cities of Judah into a deserted land, den of jackals.

I know, Lord, that man’s life is not in his own hands, and it is not for him to direct his steps!

Correct us, Lord, with wisdom, not in anger, lest you destroy us entirely.

Express your anger toward the nations that do not recognize you, and against the people who do not call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob and completely consumed him; his land has already been laid waste.