11 The Lord cares for his nation,just as shepherds carefor their flocks.He carries the lambsin his arms,while gently leadingthe mother sheep.
12 Did any of you measurethe ocean by yourselfor stretch out the skywith your own hands?Did you put the soilof the earth in a bucketor weigh the hills and mountainson balance scales?
13 Has anyone told the Lordwhat he must door given him advice?
14 Did the Lord ask anyoneto teach him wisdomand justice?Who gave him knowledgeand understanding?
15 To the Lord, all nationsare merely a drop in a bucketor dust on balance scales;all the islandsare but a handful of sand.
16 The cattleon Lebanon's mountainswould not be enough to offeras a sacrifice to God,and the trees would notbe enough for the fire.
17 God thinks of the nationsas far less than nothing.