Yahweh hasn't spoken through them, so let what they say happen to them."

14 This is what Yahweh Elohim Tsebaoth says: Because you've talked like this, I'm going to put my words in your mouth like a fire.

These people will be like wood.

My words will burn them up.

15 Nation of Israel, I'm going to bring a nation from far away to attack you, declares Yahweh.

It is a nation that has lasted a long time.

It is an ancient nation.

You don't know the language of this nation.

You can't understand what its people say.

16 Their arrow quivers are like open graves.

They are all mighty warriors.

17 They will devour your harvest and your food.

They will devour your sons and your daughters.

They will devour your flocks and your cattle.

They will devour your grapevines and your fig trees.

With their swords they will destroy the fortified cities you trust.

18 Yet, even in those days, declares Yahweh, I won't destroy all of you.

19 They will ask, "Why has Yahweh our Elohim done all this to us?" Answer them, "You have abandoned me and served foreign gods in your land. So you will serve foreigners in a land that isn't yours."

20 "Tell this to the descendants of Jacob, and make this heard in Judah: 21 Hear this, you stupid and senseless people!

You have eyes, but you cannot see.

You have ears, but you cannot hear.

22 Don't you fear me?" asks Yahweh.

"Don't you tremble in my presence?

I made the sand a boundary for the sea, a permanent barrier that it cannot cross.

Although the waves toss continuously, they can't break through.

Although they roar, they can't cross it.

23 But these people are stubborn and rebellious.

They have turned aside and wandered away from me.

24 They don't say to themselves, 'We should fear Yahweh our Elohim .

He sends rain at the right time, the autumn rain and the spring rain.

He makes sure that we have harvest seasons.'

25 Your wickedness has turned these things away.

Your sins have kept good things away from you.

26 "Wicked people are found among my people.

They lie in ambush like bird catchers.

They set traps and catch people.

"Like cages filled with birds, their houses are filled with deceit.

That is why they become powerful and rich.

28 They grow big and fat.

Their evil deeds have no limits.

They have no respect for the rights of others.

They have no respect for the rights of orphans.

But they still prosper.

They don't defend the rights of the poor.

29 I will punish them for these things," declares Yahweh .

"I will punish this nation.

30 "Something horrible and disgusting is happening in the land: 31 Prophets prophesy lies.

Priests rule under the prophets' directions, and my people love this.

But what will you do in the end?"

The LORD'S Rejection of Judah 6 1 "Take cover, people of Benjamin!

Run away from Jerusalem!

Blow the ram's horn in Tekoa.

Raise the flag over Beth Hakkerem, because disaster and widespread destruction are coming from the north.

2 "My people Zion are like lovely pastures.

3 With their flocks, shepherds will come to them, pitch their tents all around them, and each of them will tend his own flock.

4 The shepherds say, 'Prepare yourselves for war against Zion.

Let's attack at noon!

How horrible it will be for us. The day is passing, and the shadows of evening are growing longer.

5 Let's attack at night and destroy its palaces.'"

6 This is what Yahweh Tsebaoth says: Cut down its trees.

Build up dirt mounds to attack Jerusalem.

This city must be punished.

There is nothing but oppression in it.

7 As a well keeps its water fresh, so Jerusalem keeps its evil fresh.

Violence and destruction can be heard in it.

I see that it is sick and wounded.

8 Pay attention to my warning, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you.

I will make your land desolate, a land where no one will live.

9 This is what Yahweh Tsebaoth says: Thoroughly pick through the faithful few of Israel like someone picks through a grapevine.

Like someone picking grapes, pass your hand over its branches again.

10 Whom can I speak to?

Whom can I give a warning to?

Who will listen?

Their ears are plugged, and they aren't able to pay attention.

When Yahweh speaks his word to them, they show contempt for it and object to it.

11 I am filled with the anger of Yahweh.

I am tired of holding it in.

"Pour it out on the children in the street and on the gangs of young men.

A man and his wife will be taken away as well as very old people.

12 Their households, their fields, and their wives will be turned over to others.

I will use my power against those who live in the land,"

declares Yahweh.

13 "All of them, from the least important to the most important, are eager to make money dishonestly.

All of them, from prophets to priests, act deceitfully.

14 They treat my people's wounds as though they were not serious, saying, 'Everything is alright! Everything is alright!'

But it's not alright.

15 Are they ashamed when they do disgusting things?

No, they're not ashamed.

They don't even know how to blush.

So they will die with those who die.

They will be brought down when I punish them," says Yahweh.

16 This is what Yahweh says: Stand at the crossroads and look.

Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths.

Ask which way leads to blessings.

Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves.

But you said that you wouldn't live that way.

17 I posted watchmen over you.

Pay attention to the sound of the ram's horn.

But you said that you wouldn't pay attention.

18 Listen, you nations, and learn, you witnesses, what will happen to them.