11. He tends his flock like a shepherd:he gathers the lambs in his armsand carries them close to his heart;he gently leads those that have young.
12. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,or weighed the mountains on the scalesand the hills in a balance?
13. Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord,or instruct the Lord as his counsellor?
14. Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,and who taught him the right way?Who was it that taught him knowledge,or showed him the path of understanding?
15. Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;they are regarded as dust on the scales;he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
16. Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17. Before him all the nations are as nothing;they are regarded by him as worthlessand less than nothing.
18. With whom, then, will you compare God?To what image will you liken him?
19. As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,and a goldsmith overlays it with goldand fashions silver chains for it.
20. A person too poor to present such an offeringselects wood that will not rot;they look for a skilled workerto set up an idol that will not topple.