Jeremiah 6 — MSB

6Verse 1“Run for cover, O sons of Benjamin; flee from Jerusalem! Sound the ram’s horn in Tekoa; send up a signal over Beth-haccherem, for disaster looms from the north, even great destruction.^{Verse 2}Though she is beautiful and delicate, I will destroy the Daughter of Zion.^{Verse 3}Shepherds and their flocks will come against her; they will pitch their tents all around her, each tending his own portion:^{Verse 4}‘Prepare for battle against her; rise up, let us attack at noon. Woe to us, for the daylight is fading; the evening shadows grow long.^{Verse 5}Rise up, let us attack by night and destroy her fortresses!’”^{Verse 6}For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.^{Verse 7}As a well gushes its water, so she pours out her evil. Violence and destruction resound in her; sickness and wounds are ever before Me.^{Verse 8}Be forewarned, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you; I will make you a desolation, a land without inhabitant.”^{Verse 9}This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine. Pass your hand once more like a grape gatherer over the branches.”^{Verse 10}To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.^{Verse 11}But I am full of the LORD’s wrath; I am tired of holding it back. “Pour it out on the children in the street, and on the young men gathered together. For both husband and wife will be captured, the old and the very old alike.^{Verse 12}Their houses will be turned over to others, their fields and wives as well, for I will stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land,” declares the LORD.^{Verse 13}“For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.^{Verse 14}They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all.^{Verse 15}Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD.^{Verse 16}This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’^{Verse 17}I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’^{Verse 18}Therefore hear, O nations, and learn, O congregations, what will happen to them.^{Verse 19}Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction.^{Verse 20}What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.”^{Verse 21}Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; fathers and sons alike will be staggered; friends and neighbors will perish.”^{Verse 22}This is what the LORD says: “Behold, an army is coming from the land of the north; a great nation is stirred up from the ends of the earth.^{Verse 23}They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Zion.”^{Verse 24}We have heard the report; our hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.^{Verse 25}Do not go out to the fields; do not walk the road. For the enemy has a sword; terror is on every side.^{Verse 26}O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.^{Verse 27}“I have appointed you to examine My people like ore, so you may know and try their ways.^{Verse 28}All are hardened rebels, walking around as slanderers. They are bronze and iron; all of them are corrupt.^{Verse 29}The bellows blow fiercely, blasting away the lead with fire. The refining proceeds in vain, for the wicked are not purged.^{Verse 30}They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them.”