3. The customs of other people are worth nothing.Their idols are nothing but wood from the forest.They are made by a worker with his chisel.
4. They decorate their idols with silver and gold.With hammers and nails they fasten them down.That keeps them from falling over.
5. Their idols are like scarecrows in melon fields.They cannot talk.They cannot walk.They must be carried.Do not be afraid of those idols.They can’t hurt you.And they can’t help you either!”
6. Lord, there is no one like you.You are great.Your name is great and powerful.
7. Everyone should respect you, King of all nations.You deserve their respect.There are many wise men among the nations.And there are wise men in all the kingdoms.But none of them are as wise as you.
8. Those wise men are stupid and foolish.Their teachings come from worthless wooden idols.
9. They use silver from Tarshishand gold from Uphaz.Their idols are made by craftsmen and goldsmiths.They put blue and purple clothes on the idols.All these things are made by skilled workers.
10. But the Lord is the only true God.He is the only living God, King forever.The earth shakes when he is angry.The nations cannot stand up to his anger.
11. “Tell them this message: ‘These false gods did not make heaven and earth. But they will be destroyed and disappear from heaven and earth.’”
12. God made the earth by his power.He used his wisdom to build the world.He used his understanding to stretch out the skies.
13. When he thunders, the waters in the skies roar.He makes clouds rise in the sky all over the earth.He sends lightning with the rain.He brings out the wind from his storehouses.
14. People are so stupid and know so little.Goldsmiths are made ashamed by their idols.Those statues are only false gods.They have no breath in them.
15. They are worth nothing.People make fun of them.When they are judged, they will be destroyed.
16. But God, who is Jacob’s Portion, is not like the idols.God made everything.And he made Israel to be his special people.The Lord of heaven’s armies is his name.
17. Get everything you own and prepare to leave.You people of Judah are trapped in the city by your enemies.
18. This is what the Lord says:“At this time I will throw out the people of Judah who live in this land.I will bring pain and trouble to them.And they will really feel it.”