Jeremiah 10:14-25

Everyone is ignorant, knowing nothing. Every craftsman is shamed by the idols they make since their idols are nothing but lifeless lies. What they make is worthless—nothing but a joke! When YAHWEH comes to punish them, they will perish. You idols are nothing like YAHWEH, the true Treasure of Jacob. For he created the universe and has chosen Israel to be his inheritance. YAHWEH, Commander of Angel Armies, is his name. Jerusalem, you besieged city, pack up your belongings and get ready to leave the land. For YAHWEH says: “Look! I am throwing you off the land, and I will bring you distress until you are captured.” Woe is me —my brokenness! My wound is incurable. I once said: “Oh, I must bear this suffering,” and I assumed I could endure it. But my tent has been torn down, and all my cords are severed. I’ll never see my children again, for they have left me. There is no one left to stretch out my tent and no one who can hang my curtains. For the leaders of the nation are foolish, and they refuse YAHWEH’s guidance. Therefore, without insight, they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered. Look, there is news to report! There’s a roar and a rumble coming from the north, coming to make the cities of Judah a rubble and turn it into a den of jackals. Now, I know, O  YAHWEH, that our destinies are not our own to choose, and it is not in our power to direct our own steps. Correct us, YAHWEH, according to what is right, but go easy on us— don’t correct us in your anger, or there would be nothing left of us. Vent your anger and pour it out on all these nations around us. They’re the ones who do not worship you. See how they’ve attacked the people of Jacob, consuming the land and leaving it desolate.