5. Even the doe in the field forsakes her newborn fawnbecause there is no grass.
6. The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights;they pant for air like jackals;their eyes failbecause there is no vegetation.
7. “Though our iniquities testify against us,act, O Lord, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.
8. O you hope of Israel,its savior in time of trouble,why should you be like a stranger in the land,like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night?
9. Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save?Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us,and we are called by your name; do not leave us.”
10. Thus says the Lord concerning this people:“They have loved to wander thus;they have not restrained their feet; therefore the Lord does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquityand punish their sins.”
11. The Lord said to me: “Do not pray for the welfare of this people.
12. Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.”
13. Then I said: “Ah, Lord God, behold, the prophets say to them, ‘You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place.’”
14. And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.