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16 Thus says Yahweh: “Stand at the roads and look,
    and ask for the ancient paths, where the way of the good is,
and walk in it, and find rest for your inner selves.[a]
    But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’[b]
17 And I raised up watchmen over you:
    ‘Listen attentively to the sound of a horn.’
    But they said, ‘We will not listen attentively.’
18 Therefore[c] hear, O nations, and know, O community,
    what will happen to them.[d]
19 Hear, O earth,
    look, I am about to bring disaster to this people,
    the fruit of their plans,
because they have not listened attentively to my words,
    and my teaching, they have rejected it also.
20 What is this to me?
    Frankincense comes from Sheba,
and the precious spice reed from a distant land.
    Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,[e]
    your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.”
21 Therefore[f] thus says Yahweh:
    “Look, I am about to put before this people stumbling blocks,
and they will stumble against them,
    fathers and children together,
    neighbor and his friend will perish.”

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 6:16 Hebrew “inner self”
  2. Jeremiah 6:16 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  3. Jeremiah 6:18 Literally “To thus”
  4. Jeremiah 6:18 Literally “what among them”
  5. Jeremiah 6:20 Literally “for acceptance”
  6. Jeremiah 6:21 Literally “To thus”

Judah Rejects the Lord’s Way

16 This is what the Lord says:
“Stop at the crossroads and look around.
    Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.
    But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
17 I posted watchmen over you who said,
    ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’
But you replied,
    ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’

18 “Therefore, listen to this, all you nations.
    Take note of my people’s situation.
19 Listen, all the earth!
    I will bring disaster on my people.
It is the fruit of their own schemes,
    because they refuse to listen to me.
    They have rejected my word.
20 There’s no use offering me sweet frankincense from Sheba.
    Keep your fragrant calamus imported from distant lands!
I will not accept your burnt offerings.
    Your sacrifices have no pleasing aroma for me.”

21 Therefore, this is what the Lord says:
    “I will put obstacles in my people’s path.
Fathers and sons will both fall over them.
    Neighbors and friends will die together.”

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