Jeremiah 6:16-21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
16 Thus says the Lord:
Stand at the crossroads and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way lies; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
But they said, “We will not walk in it.”(A)
17 Also I raised up sentinels for you:
“Give heed to the sound of the trumpet!”
But they said, “We will not give heed.”(B)
18 Therefore hear, O nations,
and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.
19 Hear, O earth; I am going to bring disaster on this people,
the fruit of their schemes,
because they have not given heed to my words,
and as for my teaching, they have rejected it.(C)
20 Of what use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba
or sweet cane from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable,
nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me.(D)
21 Therefore thus says the Lord:
See, I am laying before this people
stumbling blocks against which they shall stumble;
parents and children together,
neighbor and friend shall perish.(E)
Jeremiah 6:16-21
International Standard Version
Israel Refuses to Repent
16 This is what the Lord says:
“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.”
Footnotes
- Jeremiah 6:16 The Heb. lacks in it
- Jeremiah 6:18 Or what is among them
- Jeremiah 6:19 Or Law
- Jeremiah 6:20 I.e. Yemen
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