New American Bible, Revised Edition

Baruch 6:50-57 New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

50. Beings that are wooden, gilded and silvered, they will later be known for frauds. To all nations and kings it will be clear that they are not gods, but human handiwork; and that God’s work is not in them.

51. Is it not obvious that they are not gods?

52. They set no king over the land, nor do they give rain.

53. They neither vindicate their own rights, nor do they rescue anyone wronged, for they are powerless.

54. They are like crows in midair. For when fire breaks out in the temple of these wooden or gilded or silvered gods, though the priests flee and are safe, they themselves are burned up in the fire like timbers.

55. They cannot resist a king or enemy forces.

56. How then can it be admitted or thought that they are gods?They are safe from neither thieves nor bandits, these wooden and silvered and gilded gods.

57. Anyone who can will strip off the gold and the silver, and go away with the clothing that was on them; they cannot help themselves.