Yeremia 10:5

10:5 Such idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field.

They cannot talk.

They must be carried

because they cannot walk.

Do not be afraid of them

because they cannot hurt you.

And they do not have any power to help you.” ¹ 

Yeremia 4:22

4:22 The Lord answered, ² 

“This will happen ³  because my people are foolish.

They do not know me.

They are like children who have no sense. ⁴ 

They have no understanding.

They are skilled at doing evil.

They do not know how to do good.”

[10:5]  ¹ tn Heb “And it is not in them to do good either.”

[4:22]  ² tn These words are not in the text but are supplied in the translation to show clearly the shift in speaker. Jeremiah has been speaking; now the Lord answers, giving the reason for the devastation Jeremiah foresees.

[4:22]  ³ tn Heb “For….” This gives the explanation for the destruction envisaged in 4:20 to which Jeremiah responds in 4:19, 21.

[4:22]  ⁴ tn Heb “They are senseless children.”