Jeremiah 6:13-23

English Standard Version

¹³^(A)“For from the least to the greatest of them,
    everyone ^(B)is greedy for unjust gain;
and from ^(C)prophet to priest,
    everyone deals falsely.
¹⁴They have healed the wound of my people lightly,
    saying, ^(D)‘Peace, peace,’
    ^(E)when there is no peace.
¹⁵^(F)Were they ashamed when they committed abomination?
    No, they were not at all ashamed;
    they did not know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
    ^(G)at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown,”
says the Lord.

¹⁶Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
    and ask for ^(H)the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
    ^(I)and find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
¹⁷^(J)I set watchmen over you, saying,
    ‘Pay attention to ^(K)the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ^(L)‘We will not pay attention.’
¹⁸Therefore hear, O nations,
    and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
¹⁹Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,
    ^(M)the fruit of their devices,
because they have not paid attention to my words;
    and as for my law, they have rejected it.
²⁰^(N)What use to me is ^(O)frankincense that comes from ^(P)Sheba,
    or sweet cane from a distant land?
^(Q)Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,
    nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.
²¹Therefore thus says the Lord:
^(R)‘Behold, I will lay before this people
    stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble;
fathers and sons together,
    neighbor and friend shall perish.’”

²²Thus says the Lord:
^(S)“Behold, a people is coming ^(T)from the north country,
    a great nation is stirring from ^(U)the farthest parts of the earth.
²³They lay hold on bow and javelin;
    they are ^(V)cruel and have no mercy;
    ^(W)the sound of them is like the roaring sea;
they ride on horses,
    set in array as a man for battle,
    against you, O daughter of Zion!”