1
Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel.
2
Thus says the Lord: "Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3
For the customs of the peoples are futile; For one cuts a tree from the forest, The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4
They decorate it with silver and gold; They fasten it with nails and hammers So that it will not topple.
5
They are upright, like a palm tree, And they cannot speak; They must be carried, Because they cannot go by themselves. Do not be afraid of them, For they cannot do evil, Nor can they do any good."
6
Inasmuch as there is none like You, O Lord (You are great, and Your name is great in might),
7
Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due. For among all the wise men of the nations, And in all their kingdoms, There is none like You.
8
But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; A wooden idol is a worthless doctrine.
9
Silver is beaten into plates; It is brought from Tarshish, And gold from Uphaz, The work of the craftsman And of the hands of the metalsmith; Blue and purple are their clothing; They are all the work of skillful men.