1. Judah’s sin is engravedwith an iron pen.It’s etched with a diamond pointon the tablets of their heartsand on the horns of their altars.
2. Their children remember their altars and sacred polesby the lush trees and high hills.
3. Because you have committed such sins throughout your country,I will give to your enemiesmy mountain in the land,as well as your wealth and all that you treasure.
4. You will lose the inheritance that I gave you.I will make you slaves of your enemiesin a land you don’t know,for my anger blazes like a firethat won’t go out.
5. The Lord proclaims:Cursed are those who trust in mere humans,who depend on human strengthand turn their hearts from the Lord.
6. They will be like a desert shrubthat doesn’t know when relief comes.They will live in the parched places of the wilderness,in a barren land where no one survives.
7. Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord.
8. They will be like trees planted by the streams,whose roots reach down to the water.They won’t fear drought when it comes;their leaves will remain green.They won’t be stressed in the time of droughtor fail to bear fruit.
9. The most cunning heart—it’s beyond help.Who can figure it out?
10. I, the Lord, probe the heartand discern hidden motives,to give everyone what they deserve,the consequences of their deeds.
11. Like a partridge gathering a brood that is not its own,so are those who acquire their wealth corruptly.By midlife it will be gone;afterward they will look like fools.
12. Splendid and exalted throne,the place of our sanctuaryfrom the beginning!