11. The people of Israel and Judah have not been faithful to me at all," announces the Lord.
12. They have told lies about the Lord. They said, "He won't do anything! No harm will come to us. We will never see war or be hungry.
13. The prophets are nothing but wind. Their message doesn't come from the Lord. So let what they say will happen be done to them."
14. The Lord God rules over all. He says to me, "The people have spoken those words. So my words will be like fire in your mouth. I will make the people like wood. And the fire will burn them up."
15. "People of Israel, listen to me," announces the Lord. "I am bringing against you a nation from far away. It is an old nation. And it will last for a long time. Its people speak a language you do not know. You can't understand what they are saying.
16. The bags they carry their arrows in are like an open grave. All of their soldiers are mighty.
17. They will eat up your crops and your food. They will strike down your sons and daughters. They will kill your sheep and cattle. They will destroy your vines and fig trees. You trust in your cities that have high walls around them. But the people in them will be killed with swords.
18. "In spite of that, even in those days I will not destroy you completely," announces the Lord.
19. " 'Jeremiah,' the people will ask, 'Why has the Lord our God done all of this to us?' "Then you will tell them, 'You have deserted the Lord. You have served other gods in your own land. So now you will serve another nation in a land that is not your own.'
20. "Here is what I want you to announce to the people of Jacob. Tell it in Judah. Tell them I say,
21. 'Listen to this, you foolish people, who do not have any sense. You have eyes, but you do not see. You have ears, but you do not hear.