20. Why do you bring me offerings of incense from the land of Sheba?Why do you bring me sweet-smelling cane from a faraway land?Your burnt offerings will not be accepted;your sacrifices do not please me.”
21. So this is what the Lord says:“I will put problems in front of Judah.Fathers and sons will stumble over them together.Neighbors and friends will die.”
22. This is what the Lord says:“Look, an army is comingfrom the land of the north;a great nation is comingfrom the far sides of the earth.
23. The soldiers carry bows and spears.They are cruel and show no mercy.They sound like the roaring oceanwhen they ride their horses.That army is coming lined up for battle,ready to attack you, Jerusalem.”
24. We have heard the news about that armyand are helpless from fear.We are gripped by our pain,like a woman having a baby.
25. Don’t go out into the fieldsor walk down the roads,because the enemy has swords.There is terror on every side.
26. My people, put on rough clothand roll in the ashes to show how sad you are.Cry loudly for those who are dead,as if your only son were dead,because the destroyerwill soon come against us.
27. “Jeremiah, I have made you like a worker who tests metal,and my people are like the ore.You must observe their waysand test them.
28. All my people have turned against me and are stubborn.They go around telling lies about others.They are like bronze and ironthat became covered with rust.They all act dishonestly.