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For my people are foolish, they don't know me; they are sottish sons, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

For thus says Yahweh, The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.

For this the earth shall mourn, and the heavens above be black; because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and I have not repented, neither will I turn back from it.

Every city flees for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they come into holes, hide in thickets, and climb up on the rocks: every city is forsaken, and not a man dwells therein.

For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, the anguish as of her that brings forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that gasps for breath, that spreads her hands, [saying], Woe is me now! for my soul faints before the murderers.

Then I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish; for they don't know the way of Yahweh, nor the law of their God:

I will get myself to the great men, and will speak to them; for they know the way of Yahweh, and the law of their God. But these with one accord have broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.

Shall I not visit for these things? says Yahweh; and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Go up on her walls, and destroy; but don't make a full end: take away her branches; for they are not Yahweh's.

For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, says Yahweh.

Don't you fear me? says Yahweh: Will you not tremble at my presence, who has placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it can't pass it? and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet they can't prevail; though they roar, yet they can't pass over it.

For among my people are found wicked men: they watch, as a fowler lying in wait; they set a trap, they catch men.

Shall I not visit for these things? says Yahweh; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Flee for safety, you sons of Benjamin, out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and raise up a signal on Beth-haccherem; for evil looks forth from the north, and a great destruction.

Prepare war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us! for the day declines, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.

For thus has Yahweh of hosts said, Cut down trees, and cast up a mound against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.

Therefore I am full of the wrath of Yahweh; I am weary with holding in: pour it out on the children in the street, and on the assembly of young men together; for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.

And their houses shall be turned to others, their fields and their wives together; for I will stretch out my hand on the inhabitants of the land, says Yahweh.

For from the least of them even to the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest every one deals falsely.

Thus says Yahweh, Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk [therein].