12. Their houses will be turned over to othersas will their fields and their wives.For I will unleash my poweragainst those who live in this land,”says the Lord.
13. “That is because, from the least important to the most important of them,all of them are greedy for dishonest gain.Prophets and priests alike,all of them practice deceit.
14. They offer only superficial help for the harm my people have suffered.They say, ‘Everything will be all right!’But everything is not all right!
15. Are they ashamed because they have done such shameful things?No, they are not at all ashamed.They do not even know how to blush!So they will die, just like others have died.They will be brought to ruin when I punish them,”says the Lord.
16. The Lord said to his people:“You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path.Ask where the old, reliable paths are.Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it.If you do, you will find rest for your souls.”But they said, “We will not follow it!”
17. The Lord said, “I appointed prophets as watchmen to warn you, saying:‘Pay attention to the warning sound of the trumpet!’”But they said, “We will not pay attention!”
18. So the Lord said, “Hear, you nations!Be witnesses and take note of what will happen to these people.
19. Hear this, you peoples of the earth:‘Take note! I am about to bring disaster on these people.It will come as punishment for their scheming.For they have paid no attention to what I have said,and they have rejected my law.
20. I take no delight when they offer up to me frankincense that comes from Sheba or sweet-smelling cane imported from a faraway land.I cannot accept the burnt offerings they bring me.I get no pleasure from the sacrifices they offer to me.’
21. So, this is what the Lord says:‘I will assuredly make these people stumble to their doom.Parents and children will stumble and fall to their destruction.Friends and neighbors will die.’
22. “This is what the Lord says:‘Beware! An army is coming from a land in the north.A mighty nation is stirring into action in faraway parts of the earth.