The King James Version Bible

Letter of Jeremiah 6:55-70

  1. Whereupon when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood, or laid over with gold or silver, their priests will flee away, and escape; but they themselves shall be burned asunder like beams.

  2. Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies: how can it then be thought or said that they be gods?

  3. Neither are those gods of wood, and laid over with silver or gold, able to escape either from thieves or robbers.

  4. Whose gold, and silver, and garments wherewith they are clothed, they that are strong take, and go away withal: neither are they able to help themselves.

  5. Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power, or else a profitable vessel in an house, which the owner shall have use of, than such false gods; or to be a door in an house, to keep such things therein, than such false gods. or a pillar of wood in a a palace, than such false gods.

  6. For sun, moon, and stars, being bright and sent to do their offices, are obedient.

  7. In like manner the lightning when it breaketh forth is easy to be seen; and after the same manner the wind bloweth in every country.

  8. And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world, they do as they are bidden.

  9. And the fire sent from above to consume hills and woods doeth as it is commanded: but these are like unto them neither in shew nor power.

  10. Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods, seeing, they are able neither to judge causes, nor to do good unto men.

  11. Knowing therefore that they are no gods, fear them not,

  12. For they can neither curse nor bless kings:

  13. Neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen, nor shine as the sun, nor give light as the moon.

  14. The beasts are better than they: for they can get under a cover and help themselves.

  15. It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods: therefore fear them not.

  16. For as a scarecrow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing: so are their gods of wood, and laid over with silver and gold.