Jeremiah

Warnings about Jerusalem's destruction due to unfaithfulness, with promises of a new covenant.

Chapter 10

1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

*Listen to the message that the Lord speaks to you, people of Israel.

2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

*So God says, don't follow the ways of other nations, and don't be scared by things in the sky. The other people are scared of these things too.

3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

*People's traditions are empty; cutting down trees from the forest is a human-made thing done with an axe.

4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

*They decorate it with silver and gold. They secure it with nails and hammers so it doesn't move.

5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

*They stand tall like a palm tree but don't talk. They can only be carried since they can't move. Don't be scared of them, as they can't do bad things or good things either.

6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

*Because there is no one else like you, God; you are great and your name is powerful and famous.

7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.

*Who wouldn't be afraid of you, King of all countries? Because it belongs to you: since among all the smart people from different countries, and in all their lands, there is no one like you.

8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

*But they are completely wild and silly; their beliefs are just empty ideas.

9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.

*Silver plates come from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz - made by skilled workers and metalworkers. They wear blue and purple clothes. All their work is done by talented people.

10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

*But the real God is alive and always reigns; when he gets angry, the world shakes and countries can't handle his anger.

11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

*So you should tell them, "The gods who didn't create the sky and Earth will disappear from the Earth and above the sky."

12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

*He created the Earth using his strength, set up the world with his smart thinking, and expanded the sky with his careful planning.

13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

*When he speaks, many waters gather in the sky, and he makes steam rise from Earth's edges. He creates lightning with rain and releases wind from his hidden stores.

14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

*Every person is unwise in what they know: every leader is confused by their carved statue: because their melted statue is a lie, and it has no life in it.

15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

*They are useless and done wrongly; when their time comes, they will disappear.

16 The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.

*Jacob's share is different from others, as he creates everything. Israel is like a branch from that share, and God is the powerful ruler over it all.

17 Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.

*Collect your belongings from the land, O person living in the fortress.

18 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.

*So says the Lord, "I will suddenly remove the people living in this land and cause them great trouble, so they will truly understand it."

19 Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.

*Oh no, I'm in pain! My injury is severe. This is really hard, but I have to endure it.

20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

*My shelter is ruined, and all my ropes are torn: my kids have left me, and I'm alone; no one is there to extend my home or put up my covers.

21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

*Pastors have acted like animals and didn't look for God. So, they won't do well, and their sheep will get lost everywhere.

22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

*Look, loud noises are coming from the north, causing big chaos and destroying the cities of Judah, turning them into a place where dragons live.

23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

*O GOD, I understand that people cannot guide their own path; it's not up to them to direct their steps.

24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

*Dear GOD, teach me properly, but fairly; not out of anger, or I'll be destroyed.

25 Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.

*Unleash your anger on those who don't know you and on families who don't call on you. They have destroyed Jacob, eaten him up, and left his home empty.

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