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16 This is what the Lord says:

“Stand ·where the roads cross [at the crossroads] and look.
    Ask where the ·old [eternal; enduring] way is [Deut. 32:7],
where the good way is, and walk on it.
    If you do, you will find rest for ·yourselves [souls].
    But they have said, ‘We will not ·walk on the good way [follow it].’
17 I set watchmen [C prophets] over you
    and told you, ‘·Listen for [Pay attention to] the sound of the ·war trumpet [ram’s horn]!’
    But they said, ‘We will not ·listen [pay attention].’
18 So listen, all you nations,
    and ·pay attention [L know], you ·witnesses [assembly].
    Watch what I will do to them [C the people of Judah].
19 Hear this, people of the earth:
    I am going to bring ·disaster [trouble; evil] to this people [C of Judah]
    because of the ·evil they plan [L the fruit of their plots].
They have not ·listened [paid attention] to my ·messages [words]
    and have rejected my ·teachings [laws; instructions].
20 Why do you bring me offerings of ·incense [frankincense] from the land of Sheba [C unknown location, perhaps present-day Yemen, Eritrea, or Ethiopia; see 1 Kin. 10:1–13]?
    Why do you bring me sweet-smelling cane from a faraway land?
Your burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–7] will not be accepted;
    your sacrifices do not please me [Ps. 40:6–8; Mic. 6:6–8].”
21 So this is what the Lord says:
“I will put stumbling blocks [C problems] in front of this people [C Judah].
    Fathers and sons will stumble over them together.
    Neighbors and friends will ·die [perish].”

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16 This is what the Lord says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,(A)
ask where the good way(B) is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest(C) for your souls.
    But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
17 I appointed watchmen(D) over you and said,
    ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’(E)
    But you said, ‘We will not listen.’(F)
18 Therefore hear, you nations;
    you who are witnesses,
    observe what will happen to them.
19 Hear, you earth:(G)
    I am bringing disaster(H) on this people,
    the fruit of their schemes,(I)
because they have not listened to my words(J)
    and have rejected my law.(K)
20 What do I care about incense from Sheba(L)
    or sweet calamus(M) from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;(N)
    your sacrifices(O) do not please me.”(P)

21 Therefore this is what the Lord says:

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

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