For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

10 But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

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For the practices of the peoples are worthless;
    they cut a tree out of the forest,
    and a craftsman(A) shapes it with his chisel.(B)
They adorn it with silver(C) and gold;
    they fasten it with hammer and nails
    so it will not totter.(D)
Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field,
    their idols cannot speak;(E)
they must be carried
    because they cannot walk.(F)
Do not fear them;
    they can do no harm(G)
    nor can they do any good.”(H)

No one is like you,(I) Lord;
    you are great,(J)
    and your name is mighty in power.
Who should not fear(K) you,
    King of the nations?(L)
    This is your due.
Among all the wise leaders of the nations
    and in all their kingdoms,
    there is no one like you.

They are all senseless(M) and foolish;(N)
    they are taught by worthless wooden idols.(O)
Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish(P)
    and gold from Uphaz.
What the craftsman and goldsmith have made(Q)
    is then dressed in blue and purple—
    all made by skilled workers.
10 But the Lord is the true God;
    he is the living God,(R) the eternal King.(S)
When he is angry,(T) the earth trembles;(U)
    the nations cannot endure his wrath.(V)

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For the customs of the peoples are [a]futile;
For (A)one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
They decorate it with silver and gold;
They (B)fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
They are upright, like a palm tree,
And (C)they cannot speak;
They must be (D)carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For (E)they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good.”

Inasmuch as there is none (F)like You, O Lord
(You are great, and Your name is great in might),
(G)Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?
For this is Your rightful due.
For (H)among all the wise men of the nations,
And in all their kingdoms,
There is none like You.
But they are altogether (I)dull-hearted and foolish;
A wooden idol is a [b]worthless doctrine.
Silver is beaten into plates;
It is brought from Tarshish,
And (J)gold from Uphaz,
The work of the craftsman
And of the hands of the metalsmith;
Blue and purple are their clothing;
They are all (K)the work of skillful men.
10 But the Lord is the true God;
He is (L)the living God and the (M)everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble,
And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 10:3 Lit. vanity
  2. Jeremiah 10:8 vain teaching