The Wise and Foolish Builders^(A)

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice^(B) is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

² Five of them were foolish and five were wise.^(A)

¹⁰ “‘Because they lead my people astray,^(A) saying, “Peace,”^(B) when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash,^{(C) 11} therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones^(D) hurtling down,^(E) and violent winds will burst forth.^{(F) 12} When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?”

¹³ “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones^(G) and torrents of rain^(H) will fall with destructive fury.^{(I) 14} I will tear down the wall^(J) you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation^(K) will be laid bare. When it^[a] falls,^(L) you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord.