1. “‘The Lord says: At that time the bones will be removed from the tombs. The bones of Judah’s kings and officers, priests and prophets and the people of Jerusalem will be removed.
2. The bones will be spread on the ground under the sun, moon and stars the people loved and served. They went after these gods, searched them out and worshiped them. No one will gather up the bones and bury them. So they will be like dung thrown on the ground.
3. I will force the people of Judah to leave their homes and their land. Those of this evil family who are not dead will wish they were dead, says the Lord.’
4. “Say to the people of Judah: ‘This is what the Lord says:When a man falls down, doesn’t he get up again?And when a man goes the wrong way, doesn’t he come back again?
5. Why, then, have the people of Judah gone the wrong way?And why do the people of Jerusalem not turn back?They believe their own lies.They refuse to turn around and come back.
6. I have listened to them very carefully.But they do not say what is right.They do not feel sorry about their wicked ways.The people don’t think about the bad things they have done.Each person goes his own way.He is like a horse charging into a battle.
7. Even the birds in the skyknow the right times to do things.The storks, doves, swifts and thrushesknow when it is time to migrate.But my people don’t knowwhat the Lord wants them to do!
8. “‘You keep saying, “We are wise.This is because we have the teachings of the Lord.”But actually, those who copy the Scriptureshave written lies with their pens.
9. These wise men refused to listen to the word of the Lord.So they are not really wise at all.They will be ashamed.They will be shocked and trapped.
10. So I will give their wives to other men.I will give their fields to new owners.Everyone, from the least important to the greatest,is greedy for money.Even the prophets and priestsall tell lies.
11. They try to heal my people’s serious injuriesas if they were small wounds.They say, “It’s all right, it’s all right!”But really, it is not all right.
12. They should be ashamed of the terrible way they act.But they are not ashamed at all.They don’t even know how to blush about their sins.So they will fall, along with everyone else.They will be thrown to the ground when I punish them, says the Lord.