Jeremiah 10:2–4

Thus says the Lord:

“Learn not the way of the nations,

nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens

because the nations are dismayed at them,

for the customs of the peoples are vanity.

A tree from the forest is cut down

and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman.

They decorate it with silver and gold;

they fasten it with hammer and nails

so that it cannot move.

This is what the Lord says:

“Do not learn the ways of the nations

or be terrified by signs in the heavens,

though the nations are terrified by them.

For the practices of the peoples are worthless;

they cut a tree out of the forest,

and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

They adorn it with silver and gold;

they fasten it with hammer and nails

so it will not totter.

This is what the Lord says:

Do not learn the way of the nations

or be terrified by signs in the heavens,

although the nations are terrified by them,

for the customs of the peoples are worthless.

Someone cuts down a tree from the forest;

it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel.

He decorates it with silver and gold.

It is fastened with hammer and nails,

so it won’t totter.

This is what the Lord says:

“Do not act like the other nations,

who try to read their future in the stars.

Do not be afraid of their predictions,

even though other nations are terrified by them.

Their ways are futile and foolish.

They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.

They decorate it with gold and silver

and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails

so it won’t fall over.

Thus says Yahweh:

“You must not learn the way of the nations,

and you must not be dismayed by the signs of the heavens,

for the nations are dismayed by them.

For the statutes of the peoples are vanity,

for it is a tree cut down from the forest,

the work of the hands of a craftsman with the tool.

He decorates it with silver and gold,

they strengthen it with nails and hammers,

so that it does not stagger.

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.

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.

They deck it with silver and with gold;

They fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.