1. Listen to the message that the Lord has spoken to you, nation of Israel.
2. This is what the Lord says:Don’t learn the practices of the nations.Don’t be frightened by the signs in the skybecause the nations are frightened by them.
3. The religion of the people is worthless.Woodcutters cut down trees from the forest.The hands of craftsmen prepare them with axes.
4. Craftsmen decorate them with silver and goldand fasten them ⌊together⌋ with hammers and nailsso that they won’t fall over.
5. These trees are like scarecrows in cucumber gardens.They aren’t able to speak.They have to be carried, because they can’t walk.Don’t be afraid of them.They can’t harm you.They can’t do you any good either.
6. No one is like you, O Lord.You are great.Your name is powerful.
7. Everyone fears you, O King of the Nations.This is what you deserve.No one is like you among all the wise people in the nationsor in all their kingdoms.
8. They are complete idiots.They learn nonsense from wooden idols.