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16 Yahweh says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ 17 I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen!’ 18 Therefore hear, you nations, and know, congregation, what is among them. 19 Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it. 20 To what purpose does frankincense from Sheba come to me, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.”

21 Therefore Yahweh says, “Behold, I will lay stumbling blocks before this people. The fathers and the sons together will stumble against them. The neighbor and his friend will 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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