The Letter of Jeremiah
Chapter 6
1 This is the text of a letter sent by Jeremiah to those who were to be taken as captives to Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, in order to deliver to them a message at God’s command:
Duration of the Exile. Because of the sins you have committed before God, you are being deported to Babylon as captives by Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonians. 2 Once you have arrived in Babylon, your period of exile will last for many years, up to seven generations. After that I will bring you home from that place in peace. 3 In Babylon you will see people carrying upon their shoulders gods of silver and gold and wood, which inspire fear in the pagans. 4 Be careful not to imitate these pagans or to allow fear of these gods to overwhelm you 5 when you see the heathen crowds before and behind them, worshiping them. Rather, say in your hearts, “Only you, O Lord, are worthy of worship.” 6 For my angel is with you, and he cares for your lives.
Origin of Idols. 7 The tongues of these gods are polished to a smooth finish by artisans, and the idols, themselves, are overlaid with gold and silver. However, they are fraudulent and are unable to utter a word. 8 People take gold as they would for a maiden obsessed with how she adorns herself, 9 and they use it to fashion crowns for the heads of their gods. Yet at times the priests will surreptitiously take the silver and gold from these gods and spend it on themselves; 10 they will even use some of it in payment for services to the temple prostitutes.
They elegantly robe these idols of silver and gold and wood as if they were human; 11 however, even though these gods are arrayed in purple attire, they are unable to protect themselves from the damage caused by corrosion and insects. 12 Their faces must be wiped clean of the thick dust of the temple that settles upon them. 13 Like a ruler of a country, each god holds a scepter, yet none has the power to destroy anyone who offends it. 14 Each has in its right hand a sword and an ax, but none is able to defend itself from war or thievery. Thus it is evident beyond question that these are not gods; so have no fear of them.
15 Impotence of Idols. Just as a pot is of no further use once it is broken, 16 so are these gods enshrined in their temples. Dust raised up from the feet of those who enter fills their eyes. 17 Their courtyards are walled in like those of someone in prison and awaiting execution for an act against the king, so the priests attempt to make the temples secure, reinforcing them with doors and bars and bolts to guard against thievery. 18 The priests light more lamps for the gods than they do for themselves, yet not even one of these can the idols see.
19 The gods are like one of the temple beams, but, it is said, their hearts are eaten away, as insects crawl out of the ground to consume them and their garments without their even being aware of it. 20 Their faces are blackened by the smoke that rises in the temple. 21 Bats and swallows and birds of every species perch on their bodies and heads, and so do cats. 22 All this makes it abundantly clear that they are not gods. Therefore, have no fear of them.
23 Although they are adorned with a layer of gold, these idols will not gleam unless someone wipes off the tarnish. Even when they were being molded they did not feel anything. 24 They were purchased no matter what the cost, yet the breath of life is not in them. 25 Because of their lack of feet, they are borne on the shoulders of others, an indication to all of their true lack of worth. And those who serve them feel a sense of shame, 26 inasmuch as if one of them should fall to the ground, it cannot get up by itself. If anyone sets an idol upright, it cannot move by its own devices, and if it is tipped, it cannot straighten itself on its own.
A gift offered to such idols might as well be offered to the dead. 27 Any sacrifices made to these idols are sold by the priests, who then pocket the proceeds. Likewise, their wives salt and preserve parts of the meat that is offered, but they refuse to offer any share whatsoever to the poor or the helpless. 28 Even women who are menstruating or who have just given birth are permitted to touch these sacrifices. Thus there should not be the slightest doubt that these are not gods; therefore, have no fear of them.
29 How can they be called gods, these idols of silver and gold and wood, when women serve meals to them? 30 And in their temples, the priests sit wearing torn garments, their hair and beards shaved, and their heads uncovered. 31 They shout and shriek in the presence of their gods as others do at a funeral banquet. 32 The priests remove some of the idols’ clothing and use it to clothe their own wives and children.
33 Whether these gods are treated well or badly by someone, they are unable to repay that person in like manner. They can neither enthrone nor depose a king. 34 Similarly they are incapable of bestowing wealth or money. If anyone fails to fulfill a vow made to them, they will never exact it. 35 They will never save anyone from death or deliver the weak from the strong. 36 They cannot restore the sight of the blind nor rescue anyone in trouble. 37 They cannot have pity for the widow nor show concern for the orphan. 38 These wooden statues overlaid with gold and silver are like stones quarried from the mountains, and those who worship them will be put to shame. 39 How then can anyone consider them to be gods or call them gods?
40 Even the Chaldeans themselves betray their lack of respect for them, for when they see someone who is incapable of speech, they lead the mute into the temple and ask Bel to give that person the power of speech, as though Bel were able to understand. 41 However, they are unable to reflect on their foolish practice and abandon these gods, for they lack all sense of perception. 42 Meanwhile women, with cords around their waists, burn bran for incense. 43 And whenever one of these has been solicited by a passer-by and lain with him, she taunts her neighbor who was not chosen because of a lesser degree of attractiveness and who has not had her cord broken. 44 Everything that has to do with these gods is fraudulent. How then can anyone consider them to be gods or call them so?
45 Nature of Idols. Idols are fashioned by carpenters and goldsmiths, and they can be nothing more than what their artisans wish them to be. 46 Even those who produce them cannot last long. 47 How, then, can the things made by them be gods? They have bequeathed nothing but frauds and dishonor to their descendants. 48 When war or a disaster befalls them, the priests consult among themselves where they can hide with their gods. 49 How, then, can anyone fail to realize that these are not gods when they are unable to save themselves from war or disaster?
50 Since they are composed of nothing but wood that has been overlaid with gold and silver, they eventually will be recognized for the frauds that they are. It will be crystal-clear to every nation and king that they are not gods but have been created by human hands, and that they do not possess the slightest degree of divine power.
51 Who can fail to realize that they are not gods? 52 They cannot appoint a king to rule over a country or supply people with rain. 53 They cannot regulate their own affairs or remedy an injustice, because they have no power. 54 They are like crows fluttering between heaven and earth. When fire breaks out in a temple that houses these wooden gods overlaid with gold and silver, the priests will dash for safety, but they themselves will be consumed in the flames like timbers. 55 They cannot offer any resistance to a king or enemy forces. 56 How, then, can anyone assert or still believe that they are gods?
Absolute Uselessness of Idols. These idols of wood overlaid with gold and silver are not able to prevent being plundered by thieves and bandits. 57 Anyone of a mind to do so will strip them of their gold and silver and run off, also, with the robes in which they were garbed, and they are powerless to help themselves. 58 It is far better to be a king who displays his courage or a household utensil of use to its owner than these false gods; better even the door of a house that safeguards whatever is within than these false gods; better even a wooden pillar in a palace than these false gods.
59 The sun and the moon and the stars shine brightly in obedience to the purpose they are assigned. 60 Flashes of lightning are seen over a large area, and the wind likewise blows throughout the land. 61 When God issues a command to the clouds to pass over the whole earth, they obey, 62 and fire that is sent from above to consume mountains and forests does what it has been ordered. However, these idols cannot be compared with these forces of nature, either in beauty or in power. 63 Therefore, you cannot consider them to be gods or call them such, since they are powerless to pronounce judgment or to be of help to anyone. 64 Therefore, realizing that they are not gods, do not fear them.
65 These idols cannot curse or bless kings, 66 nor can they offer the nations any signs in the heavens or shine like the sun or provide light like the moon. 67 Wild beasts are more blessed, for they can save themselves by fleeing to a place of safety. 68 In no respect is there the slightest evidence that they are gods; therefore, do not fear them. 69 These wooden idols, overlaid with silver and gold, provide no greater protection than does a scarecrow in a field of cucumbers. 70 Like a thornbush in a garden upon which every species of bird perches, or like a corpse thrown out into the darkness, are these wooden gods overlaid with gold and silver. 71 The purple and the linen rotting on their backs give clear evidence that they are not gods. In the end they will be eaten away and bring dishonor to their country. 72 Far more fortunate, then, is the upright person who has no idols, for such a one will never incur dishonor.
Footnotes
- Baruch 6:1
- Baruch 6:13
- Baruch 6:29
- Baruch 6:40
