Immerse: Prophets - Flipbook - Page 238
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IMMERSE
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PROPHETS
9:24–10:8
But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am
the Lord
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
“A time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will punish all those who
are circumcised in body but not in spirit—the Egyptians, Edomites, Am
monites, Moabites, the people who live in the desert in remote places, and
yes, even the people of Judah. And like all these pagan nations, the people
of Israel also have uncircumcised hearts.”
Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O Israel! 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.
Their gods are like
helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field!
They cannot speak,
and they need to be carried because they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of such gods,
for they can neither harm you nor do you any good.”
Lord, there is no one like you!
For you are great, and your name is full of power.
Who would not fear you, O King of nations?
That title belongs to you alone!
Among all the wise people of the earth
and in all the kingdoms of the world,
there is no one like you.
People who worship idols are stupid and foolish.
The things they worship are made of wood!
