Jeremiah 6:1-30 CEB

[1] Escape, people of Benjamin, get out of Jerusalem! Blow the trumpet in Tekoa, sound the alarm in Beth-haccherem; for disaster looms from the north, massive devastation. [2] You are like a lovely pasture, Daughter Zion. [3] Shepherds come to her with their flocks. They pitch their tents around her and graze in their place. [4] “Prepare for battle against her; get ready; let’s attack by noon! Oh, no! Daylight is fading, and the evening shadows lengthen. [5] Get ready, let’s attack by night and destroy her fortresses!” [6] The LORD of heavenly forces proclaims: Cut down her trees, and build siege ramps against Jerusalem. This city must be held accountable, for there’s nothing but oppression in her midst. [7] As a well brings forth fresh water, she brings forth evil. Violence and destruction are heard within her; injury and wounds are ever before me. [8] Hear me out, Jerusalem, or else I’ll turn away from you and reduce you to ruins, a land unfit to live in. [9] This is what the LORD of heavenly forces says: From top to bottom, let them harvest the remaining few in Israel. Pick clean every last grape on the vine! [10] To whom can I speak and warn? How can I get someone’s attention? Their ears are shut tight, so they won’t hear. They are ashamed of the LORD’s word and take no pleasure in it. [11] But I’m filled with the LORD’s rage and am tired of holding it in. Pour it out on the children in the streets and on the youths gathered together; husband with wife will be trapped, as will those old and gray. [12] Their homes will be turned over to others, their fields and wives as well. I will stretch out my hand against the people of this land, declares the LORD. [13] From the least to the greatest, each is eager to profit; from prophet to priest, each trades in dishonesty. [14] They treat the wound of my people as if it were nothing: “All is well, all is well,” they insist, when in fact nothing is well. [15] They should be ashamed of their detestable practices, but they have no shame; they don’t even blush! Therefore, they will fall among the fallen and stumble when I bring disaster, declares the LORD. [16] The LORD proclaims: Stop at the crossroads and look around; ask for the ancient paths. Where is the good way? Then walk in it and find a resting place for yourselves. But you said, “We won’t go!” [17] Still, I have appointed watchmen to warn you. But you said, “We won’t listen!” [18] Therefore, pay attention, nations; take notice, assembly, what is ahead of them. [19] Pay attention, earth: I’m bringing disaster upon my people, the fruit of their own devices, because they have ignored my words and they have rejected my teaching. [20] What use to me is incense from Sheba or sweet cane from a faraway land? Your entirely burned offerings won’t buy your pardon; your sacrifices won’t appease me. [21] Therefore, the LORD proclaims: I’m putting obstacles before this people, and both parents and children will stumble over them; neighbor and friend alike will perish. [22] The LORD proclaims: An army is on the move from the northern regions; a great nation is roused from the ends of the earth. [23] Equipped with bow and spear, they are cruel; they show no mercy. Their horsemen sound like the roaring sea, arrayed in battle formation against you, Daughter Zion. [24] We have heard reports of them and are panic-stricken; distress overwhelms us, pain like that of a woman in labor. [25] Don’t go out into the field! Don’t walk on the road! The enemies’ sword terrorizes at every turn. [26] My people, put on funeral clothes and roll in ashes; weep and wail as for an only child, because the destroyer will suddenly descend upon us. [27] I have made you a tester of metals, to examine my people to know and prove their ways. [28] They are tin and iron; they are headstrong and rebellious. They live to slander. They act corruptly—every last one! [29] The bellows roar; the lead is consumed. Yet the refining fails; the impurities remain. [30] They are called “rejected silver,” for the LORD has rejected them.