Jeremiah 6:16-21

Revised Standard Version

¹⁶ Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
    and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
    and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
¹⁷ I set watchmen over you, saying,
    ‘Give heed to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not give heed.’
¹⁸ Therefore hear, O nations,
    and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
¹⁹ Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing evil upon this people,
    the fruit of their devices,
because they have not given heed to my words;
    and as for my law, they have rejected it.
²⁰ To what purpose does frankincense come to me from Sheba,
    or sweet cane from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,
    nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.
²¹ Therefore thus says the Lord:
‘Behold, I will lay before this people
    stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble;
fathers and sons together,
    neighbor and friend shall perish.’”