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!
13. Lord, the hope of Israel,all who forsake you will suffer disgrace;those who turn away from you in the landwill be written off,for they have abandoned the Lord, the fountain of living water.
14. Heal me, Lord, and I’ll be healed.Save me and I’ll be saved,for you are my heart’s desire.
15. See how they harass me:"Where’s the Lord’s word?Let it come now!"
16. Yet I didn’t urge you to bring disaster;I didn’t want the calamity to happen.You know what comes out of my mouth;it’s always before you.
17. Don’t terrorize me;you are my refuge in time of disaster.
18. Let my tormentors be disgraced, but not me;let them be terrorized, but not me.Bring on them the time of disaster,as they deserve; destroy them repeatedly.
19. The Lord proclaimed to me: Go and stand by the People’s Gate where Judah’s kings go in and out, and then by all the gates of Jerusalem,
20. and say to them: Listen to the Lord’s word, you kings of Judah, all you people of Judah, and anyone living in Jerusalem who passes through these gates.
21. The Lord says: Be on guard not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or conduct business at the gates of Jerusalem.