1–2 A. Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house 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.
3 B. 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.
4 C. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 D. 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.
6 E. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee,
6–7 F. O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. (7) Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain:
7 E'. forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
8 D'. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
9 C'. Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz,
9 B'. 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.
10 A'. 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.