When the Ashdodites arose early in the morning, behold, Dagon had fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. And they took Dagon and set him in his place again.
They took the bull which was given to them, and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us.” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment. I am the Lord.
The oracle of Egypt. Behold, the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and shall come into Egypt; and the idols of Egypt shall tremble at His presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in its midst.
He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot; he seeks for himself a skillful workman to prepare a graven image that shall not totter.
So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, saying, “It is ready for the soldering”; and he fastened it with nails so that it should not totter.
They lift it on the shoulder, they carry it, and they set it in its place, and it stands; from its place it does not move. If one shall cry to it, it cannot answer nor save him out of his trouble.
The Lord will be dreadful to them, for He will weaken all the gods of the earth; men will worship Him, each from his place, all the lands of the nations.
Therefore you will make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land. And you will give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps He will lighten His hand off of you, even from off of your gods and from off of your land.