1. A copy of the letter which Jeremiah sent to those led captive to Babylon by the king of the Babylonians, to tell them what God had commanded him:For the sins you committed before God, you are being led captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, king of the Babylonians.
2. When you reach Babylon you will be there many years, a long time—seven generations; after that I will bring you back from there in peace.
3. And now in Babylon you will see gods of silver and gold and wood, carried shoulder high, to cast fear upon the nations.
4. Take care that you yourselves do not become like these foreigners and let not such fear possess you.
5. When you see the crowd before them and behind worshiping them, say in your hearts, “You, Lord, are the one to be worshiped!”
6. For my angel is with you, and he will keep watch on you.
7. Their tongues are smoothed by woodworkers; they are covered with gold and silver—but they are frauds, and cannot speak.
8. People bring gold, as though for a girl fond of dressing up,
9. and prepare crowns for the heads of their gods. Then sometimes the priests filch the gold and silver from their gods and spend it on themselves,
10. or give part of it to harlots in the brothel. They dress them up in clothes like human beings, these gods of silver and gold and wood.
11. Though they are wrapped in purple clothing, they are not safe from rust and corrosion.
12. Their faces are wiped clean of the cloud of dust which is thick upon them.
13. Each has a scepter, like the human ruler of a district, but none can do away with those that offend against it.
14. Each has in its right hand an ax or dagger, but it cannot save itself from war or pillage. Thus it is known they are not gods; do not fear them.
15. As useless as a broken pot
16. are their gods, set up in their temples, their eyes full of dust from the feet of those who enter.