¹⁵ the elders^(A) and dignitaries^(B) are the head,
    the prophets^(C) who teach lies^(D) are the tail.

¹⁶ Those who guide^(A) this people mislead them,
    and those who are guided are led astray.^(B)

¹⁵ You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death,^(A)
    with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement.
When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,^(B)
    it cannot touch us,
for we have made a lie^(C) our refuge
    and falsehood^[a] our hiding place.^(D)”

¹⁹ Lord, my strength and my fortress,
    my refuge^(A) in time of distress,
to you the nations will come^(B)
    from the ends of the earth and say,
“Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods,^(C)
    worthless idols^(D) that did them no good.^(E)

¹⁸ “Of what value^(A) is an idol^(B) carved by a craftsman?
    Or an image^(C) that teaches lies?
For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation;
    he makes idols that cannot speak.^(D)