Jeremiah 6:18-25

English Standard Version

¹⁸Therefore hear, O nations,
    and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
¹⁹Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,
    ^(A)the fruit of their devices,
because they have not paid attention to my words;
    and as for my law, they have rejected it.
²⁰^(B)What use to me is ^(C)frankincense that comes from ^(D)Sheba,
    or sweet cane from a distant land?
^(E)Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,
    nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.
²¹Therefore thus says the Lord:
^(F)‘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:
^(G)“Behold, a people is coming ^(H)from the north country,
    a great nation is stirring from ^(I)the farthest parts of the earth.
²³They lay hold on bow and javelin;
    they are ^(J)cruel and have no mercy;
    ^(K)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!”
²⁴We have heard the report of it;
    ^(L)our hands fall helpless;
anguish has taken hold of us,
    ^(M)pain as of a woman in labor.
²⁵Go not out into the field,
    nor walk on the road,
for the enemy has a sword;
    ^(N)terror is on every side.