you, O house of Israel.
'Thus says the Lord:
Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs
of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the peoples are
*futile (Lit. vanity);
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman,
with the ax.
They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
They are upright, like a palm tree,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good."
Note: There was a time I thought this was a Christmas
tree, and I know Christians who believe it is an idol, but the following verses will
give you more clarity to the passage. The goldsmith overspreads it with gold,
And the silversmith casts silver chains.
Whoever is too impoverished for such
*a contribution (an offering)
Chooses a tree that will not rot;
He seeks for himself a skillful workman
To prepare a carved image that will not
totter."
Draw near together,
You who have escaped from the
nations.
They have no knowledge,
Who carry the wood of their carved
image,
And pray to a god that cannot save."
