False Gods Contrasted with the Creator
1 Hear the word that the Lord has spoken to(a) you, house of Israel.
2 This is what the Lord says:
Do not learn the way of the nations(A)
or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
although the nations are terrified by them,
3 or be terrified by signs in the heavens,
although the nations are terrified by them,
for the customs of the peoples are worthless.
Someone cuts down a tree from the forest;
it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel.
4
5 Someone cuts down a tree from the forest;
it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel.
Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch,
their idols cannot speak.(D)
They must be carried(E) because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them for they can do no harm(F)—
and they cannot do any good.(G)
their idols cannot speak.(D)
They must be carried(E) because they cannot walk.
Do not fear them for they can do no harm(F)—
and they cannot do any good.(G)
6
7
Who should not fear You,
King of the nations?(J)
It is what You deserve.
For among all the wise people of the nations
and among all their kingdoms,
there is no one like You.
8 King of the nations?(J)
It is what You deserve.
For among all the wise people of the nations
and among all their kingdoms,
there is no one like You.
They are both stupid and foolish,
instructed by worthless idols
made of wood!
9
10
instructed by worthless idols
made of wood!
11 You are to say this to them, “The gods that did not make the heavens(Q) and the earth will perish from the earth(R) and from under these heavens.”(c)
12
13
When He thunders,(d)
the waters in the heavens are in turmoil,(V)
and He causes the clouds to rise
from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain
and brings the wind from His storehouses.(W)
the waters in the heavens are in turmoil,(V)
and He causes the clouds to rise
from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain
and brings the wind from His storehouses.(W)
Exile After the Siege
18 For this is what the Lord says:
Look, I am slinging out(AF)
the land’s residents at this time
and bringing them such distress
that they will feel it.
the land’s residents at this time
and bringing them such distress
that they will feel it.
Jeremiah Grieves
19
Woe to me because of my brokenness—
I am severely wounded!(AG)
I exclaimed, “This is my intense suffering,
but I must bear it.”
20 I am severely wounded!(AG)
I exclaimed, “This is my intense suffering,
but I must bear it.”
My tent is destroyed;(AH)
all my tent cords are snapped.
My sons have departed from me and are no more.
I have no one to pitch my tent again
or to hang up my curtains.
21 all my tent cords are snapped.
My sons have departed from me and are no more.
I have no one to pitch my tent again
or to hang up my curtains.
For the shepherds are stupid:
they don’t seek the Lord.(AI)
Therefore they have not prospered,
and their whole flock is scattered.
22 they don’t seek the Lord.(AI)
Therefore they have not prospered,
and their whole flock is scattered.
Listen! A noise—it is coming—
a great commotion(AJ) from the land to the north.
The cities of Judah will be made desolate,
a jackals’ den.(AK)
a great commotion(AJ) from the land to the north.
The cities of Judah will be made desolate,
a jackals’ den.(AK)
Footnotes:
a.
Jeremiah 10:1: Or against
b.
Jeremiah 10:9: Or Ophir
c.
Jeremiah 10:11: This is the only Aram v. in Jr.
d.
Jeremiah 10:13: Lit At His giving of the voice
e.
Jeremiah 10:16: the Lord
f.
Jeremiah 10:17: Lit bundle