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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Disaster because of Disobedience

16 This is what the Lord says:

Stand by the roadways and look.
Ask about the ancient paths,(A)
“Which is the way to what is good?”
Then take it
and find rest for yourselves.(B)
But they protested, “We won’t!”
17 I appointed watchmen over you(C)
and said, “Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.”
But they protested, “We won’t listen!”

18 Therefore listen, you nations
and you witnesses,
learn what the charge is against them.
19 Listen, earth!
I am about to bring disaster on these people,
the fruit of their own plotting,(D)
for they have paid no attention to my words.
They have rejected my instruction.(E)
20 What use to me is frankincense from Sheba(F)
or sweet cane(G) from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable;
your sacrifices do not please me.(H)
21 Therefore, this is what the Lord says:
I am going to place stumbling blocks before these people;
fathers and sons together will stumble over them;(I)
friends and neighbors will also perish.

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