Jeremiah 10

1 Hear the message that the LORD has spoken to you, house of Israel.ISV — Jeremiah 10:1

2 This is what the LORD says: “Don’t learn the way of the nations, and don’t be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified of them.ISV — Jeremiah 10:2

3 For the practices ^{a10:3 Or customs, ordinances} of the people are worthless. Indeed, a tree is cut down from the forest; it’s the work of the hands of a craftsman ^{b10:3 Or engraver; i.e. a wood carver} with an ax.ISV — Jeremiah 10:3

4 They decorate it with silver and gold. They secure it with nails and hammers so it won’t totter.ISV — Jeremiah 10:4

5 Their idols ^{c10:5 Lit. They} are like scarecrows in a cucumber field. They can’t speak! They must always be carried because they can’t walk! Don’t be afraid of them because they can do no harm, nor can they do any good.”ISV — Jeremiah 10:5

6 There is no one like you, LORD. You are great, and your name is great and powerful.ISV — Jeremiah 10:6

7 Who wouldn’t fear you, king of the nations? This is what you deserve! Indeed, among all the wise men of the nations, and throughout all their kingdoms, there is no one like you!ISV — Jeremiah 10:7

8 Everyone is stupid ^{d10:8 i.e. like a beast} and senseless. They follow worthless instruction from a piece of wood! ^{e10:8 Lit. it is worthless instruction from wood}ISV — Jeremiah 10:8

9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. The idols are ^{f10:9 Lit. It is} the work of a craftsman ^{g10:9 Or engraver; i.e. a wood carver} and of the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothing is violet and purple. The idols ^{h10:9 Lit. They} are all the work of skilled craftsmen.ISV — Jeremiah 10:9

10 The LORD is the true God; he’s the living God and the everlasting king. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.ISV — Jeremiah 10:10

11 ^{i10:11 This verse is in Aramaic, the language the exiles would speak in Babylon.} Tell this to them: “The gods who ^{j10:11 Lit. the one who} didn’t make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from these heavens.”ISV — Jeremiah 10:11

12 The LORD is ^{k10:12 The Heb. lacks The LORD is} the one who made the world by his power, who established the earth by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.ISV — Jeremiah 10:12

13 When his voice sounds there is thunder from the waters of heaven, and he makes clouds rise up from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings wind out of his storehouses.ISV — Jeremiah 10:13

14 Everyone is stupid ^{l10:14 i.e. like a beast} and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false. ^{m10:14 Lit. deception} There is no life ^{n10:14 Or breath} in them.ISV — Jeremiah 10:14

15 They’re worthless, a work of mockery, and when the time of punishment comes, ^{o10:15 Lit. at the time of their punishment} they’ll perish.ISV — Jeremiah 10:15

16 The Portion of Jacob ^{p10:16 i.e. The Portion of Jacob is a name for the LORD} is not like these. He made everything, and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance. The LORD of the Heavenly Armies is his name.ISV — Jeremiah 10:16

17 You who live under siege, Gather up your bundle ^{q10:17 i.e. your possessions} from the ground. ^{r10:17 Or land}ISV — Jeremiah 10:17

18 For this is what the LORD says: “I’m going to throw out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and I’ll bring distress on them so they’ll experience ^{s10:18 Lit. find} it.”ISV — Jeremiah 10:18

19 Woe is me because of my injury. My wound is severe. I said, “Truly this is my sickness, and I must bear it.ISV — Jeremiah 10:19

20 My tent is destroyed, and all my tent cords are broken. My sons have gone away from me, they no longer live. There is no one to pitch my tent again and set up my curtains.ISV — Jeremiah 10:20

21 Because the shepherds are stupid ^{t10:21 i.e. like a beast} and don’t seek ^{u10:21 Or inquire of} the LORD, therefore, they don’t prosper, and their flock is scattered.ISV — Jeremiah 10:21

22 The sound of a report, it’s coming now! There is a great commotion from a land in the north to make the towns of Judah desolate, a refuge for jackals.”ISV — Jeremiah 10:22

23 LORD, I know that a person’s life is not his to control, ^{v10:23 Or does not belong to him} nor does a person establish his way in life. ^{w10:23 Or step as he walks}ISV — Jeremiah 10:23

24 LORD, correct me, but with justice, not with anger. Otherwise, you’ll bring me to nothing.ISV — Jeremiah 10:24

25 Pour out your anger on the nations that don’t acknowledge you, and on the families that don’t call on your name. For they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured and consumed him; they have devastated his habitation.ISV — Jeremiah 10:25