“Stand beside the roads and watch.
    Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is.
Walk in it and find rest for yourselves.
    But they said, ‘We won’t walk in it!’^[a]
17 I appointed watchmen over you.
    Listen for the sound of the trumpet.
But they said, ‘We won’t listen!’
¹⁸ Therefore, hear, nations,
    and know, congregation,
        what will happen to them.^[b]
19 Listen, earth!
    I’m about to bring calamity on this people,
        on the fruit of their plans,
because they didn’t listen to my words
    and they rejected my instruction.^[c]
20 What good is frankincense
    that comes from Sheba^[d] to me,
        or sweet cane from a distant country?
Your burnt offerings aren’t acceptable,
    nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me.”
²¹ Therefore, this is what the Lord says:
“I’m about to put stumbling blocks in front of this people,
    and fathers and sons will stumble over them together.
        The neighbor and his friends will perish.”