1. At that time, declares the Lord, the bones of the kings of Judah and its officers, the bones of the priests and the prophets, and the bones of the people of Jerusalem will be taken from their graves
2. and exposed to the sun, the moon, and the whole heavenly forces, which they have loved and served and which they have followed, consulted, and worshipped. Their bones won’t be gathered for reburial but will become like refuse lying on the ground.
3. The survivors of this evil nation will prefer death to life, wherever I have scattered them, declares the Lord of heavenly forces.
4. Say to them, The Lord proclaims:When people fall down, don’t they get up?When they turn aside, don’t they turn back?
5. Why then does this people, rebellious Jerusalem,persistently turn away from me?They cling to deceitand refuse to return.
6. I have listened carefullybut haven’t heard a word of truth from them.No one regrets their wrongdoing;no one says, "What have I done?"Everyone turns to their own course,like a stallion dashing into the thick of battle.
7. Even the stork in the sky knows the seasons,and the dove, swallow, and cranereturn in due time.But my people don’t know the Lord’s ways.