A reading from the book of Jeremiah.

Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O House of Israel. 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 peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down, and worked

with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorated with silver and gold. They fasten

it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move. Their idols are like scarecrowes in a cucumber

field, and they cannot speak. They have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid

of them, for they cannot do evil. not be afraid of them, for they cannot do

evil. Neither is it in them to do good. There is none like you, O Lord. You are great and your name is

great in might. Who would not fear you, O king of the nations? For this is your due. For among all the

wise ones of the nations, and in all their kingdoms there is none like you.

They are both stupid and foolish. The instruction of idols is but wood.

Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish and gold from Ufas. They are the work of the craftsmen

and of the hands of the goldsmith. Their clothing is violet and purple. They are all the work of

skilled men, but the Lord is the true God. He is the

living God and the everlasting king, at his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his

indignation. Thus shall you say to them, the gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall

perish from the earth and from under the heavens. It is he who made the earth by his power,

who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist

rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind

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