Jeremiah 5:26-6:23

New International Version

²⁶“Among my people are the wicked^(A)
    who lie in wait^(B) like men who snare birds
    and like those who set traps^(C) to catch people.
²⁷Like cages full of birds,
    their houses are full of deceit;^(D)
they have become rich^(E) and powerful
²⁸    and have grown fat^(F) and sleek.
Their evil deeds have no limit;
    they do not seek justice.
They do not promote the case of the fatherless;^(G)
    they do not defend the just cause of the poor.^(H)
²⁹Should I not punish them for this?”
    declares the Lord.
“Should I not avenge^(I) myself
    on such a nation as this?

³⁰“A horrible^(J) and shocking thing
    has happened in the land:
³¹The prophets prophesy lies,^(K)
    the priests^(L) rule by their own authority,
and my people love it this way.
    But what will you do in the end?^(M)

Jerusalem Under Siege

6 “Flee for safety, people of Benjamin!
    Flee from Jerusalem!
Sound the trumpet^(N) in Tekoa!^(O)
    Raise the signal over Beth Hakkerem!^(P)
For disaster looms out of the north,^(Q)
    even terrible destruction.
²I will destroy Daughter Zion,^(R)
    so beautiful and delicate.^(S)
³Shepherds^(T) with their flocks will come against her;
    they will pitch their tents around^(U) her,
    each tending his own portion.”

⁴“Prepare for battle against her!
    Arise, let us attack at noon!^(V)
But, alas, the daylight is fading,
    and the shadows of evening grow long.
⁵So arise, let us attack at night
    and destroy her fortresses!”

⁶This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“Cut down the trees^(W)
    and build siege ramps^(X) against Jerusalem.
This city must be punished;
    it is filled with oppression.^(Y)
⁷As a well pours out its water,
    so she pours out her wickedness.
Violence^(Z) and destruction^(AA) resound in her;
    her sickness and wounds are ever before me.
⁸Take warning, Jerusalem,
    or I will turn away^(AB) from you
and make your land desolate
    so no one can live in it.”

⁹This is what the Lord Almighty says:

“Let them glean the remnant^(AC) of Israel
as thoroughly as a vine;
pass your hand over the branches again,
like one gathering grapes.”

¹⁰To whom can I speak and give warning?
    Who will listen^(AD) to me?
Their ears are closed^[a]^(AE)
    so they cannot hear.^(AF)
The word^(AG) of the Lord is offensive to them;
    they find no pleasure in it.
¹¹But I am full of the wrath^(AH) of the Lord,
    and I cannot hold it in.^(AI)

“Pour it out on the children in the street
    and on the young men^(AJ) gathered together;
both husband and wife will be caught in it,
    and the old, those weighed down with years.^(AK)
¹²Their houses will be turned over to others,^(AL)
    together with their fields and their wives,^(AM)
when I stretch out my hand^(AN)
    against those who live in the land,”
declares the Lord.
¹³“From the least to the greatest,
    all^(AO) are greedy for gain;^(AP)
prophets and priests alike,
    all practice deceit.^(AQ)
¹⁴They dress the wound of my people
    as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
    when there is no peace.^(AR)
¹⁵Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
    No, they have no shame at all;
    they do not even know how to blush.^(AS)
So they will fall among the fallen;
    they will be brought down when I punish^(AT) them,”
says the Lord.

¹⁶This is what the Lord says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,^(AU)
ask where the good way^(AV) is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest^(AW) for your souls.
    But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
¹⁷I appointed watchmen^(AX) over you and said,
    ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’^(AY)
    But you said, ‘We will not listen.’^(AZ)
¹⁸Therefore hear, you nations;
    you who are witnesses,
    observe what will happen to them.
¹⁹Hear, you earth:^(BA)
    I am bringing disaster^(BB) on this people,
    the fruit of their schemes,^(BC)
because they have not listened to my words^(BD)
    and have rejected my law.^(BE)
²⁰What do I care about incense from Sheba^(BF)
    or sweet calamus^(BG) from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;^(BH)
    your sacrifices^(BI) do not please me.”^(BJ)

²¹Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“I will put obstacles before this people.
Parents and children alike will stumble^(BK) over them;
neighbors and friends will perish.”

²²This is what the Lord says:

“Look, an army is coming
    from the land of the north;^(BL)
a great nation is being stirred up
    from the ends of the earth.^(BM)
²³They are armed with bow and spear;
    they are cruel and show no mercy.^(BN)
They sound like the roaring sea^(BO)
    as they ride on their horses;^(BP)
they come like men in battle formation
    to attack you, Daughter Zion.^(BQ)”