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For My people are among wicked men. They watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap; they catch men.

Should I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?

Run for cover, O sons of Benjamin, flee from Jerusalem! Sound the trumpet in Tekoa; send up a signal over Beth-haccherem, for disaster looms from the north, even great destruction.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

"For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain. From prophet to priest, all practice deceit.

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 find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it!'

I appointed watchmen over you and said, 'Listen for the sound of the ram's horn.' But they answered, 'We will not listen!'

Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, for they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction.

Do not go out to the fields; do not walk the road. For the enemy has a sword; terror is on every side."

"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."

The bellows blow fiercely, blasting away the lead with fire. The refining proceeds in vain, for the wicked are not purged.

They are called rejected silver, for the LORD has rejected them.

For if you really change your ways and deeds, if you act justly toward one another,

But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel.

As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not offer a plea or petition on their behalf, and do not beg Me, for I will not listen to you.

The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven; they pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger.

For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices,