1Hear the word that Yahweh has spoken concerning you, O house of Israel.
2Thus says Yahweh: “Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be dismayed at the signs of the heavens, though the nations are dismayed at them.
3For the customs of the peoples are a mere breath: one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of a craftsman’s hands with the axe.
4With silver and with gold they beautify it; with nails and with hammers they fasten it so it will not totter.
5They are like a scarecrow in a cucumber field and cannot speak; they must be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they can do no harm, nor is it in them to do good.”
6There is none like you, Yahweh; you are great, and your name is great in might.
7Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For to you it is fitting; for among all the wise of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you.
8But they are altogether stupid and foolish; the instruction of vanities is but wood.
9Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of a craftsman and the hands of a goldsmith; their clothing is blue and purple, all of them the work of skilled artisans.
10But Yahweh 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.
11Thus you shall say to them: “The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.”
12He made the earth by his power, establishing the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding he stretched out the heavens.
13At the sound of his giving voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
14Every man is too stupid to know; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idol, for his cast image is a lie, and there is no breath in them.
15They are mere breath, a work of mockery; at the time of their punishment they shall perish.
16Not like these is the Portion of Jacob, for he is the maker of all things, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance; Yahweh of hosts is his name.
17Gather up your bundle from the ground, you who sit under siege!
18For thus says Yahweh: “Behold, I am slinging out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and I will bring distress on them so that they may feel it.”
19Woe is me because of my brokenness! My wound is grievous. But I said, “Surely this is my sickness, and I must bear it.”
20My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are torn apart; my children have gone out from me and are no more. There is no one to pitch my tent again or to set up my curtains.
21For the shepherds are stupid and have not sought Yahweh; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
22Listen! A report — behold, it comes — and a great commotion from the land of the north, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a lair of jackals.
23I know, Yahweh, that a man’s way is not in himself; it is not for a man who walks to direct his own steps.
24Discipline me, Yahweh, but with justice — not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.
25Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not know you, and on the clans that do not call on your name; for they have devoured Jacob — they have devoured him and consumed him and laid waste his pasture.
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