12. But they said, "What’s the use! We will follow our own plans and act according to our own willful, evil hearts."
13. Therefore, the Lord proclaims:Ask among the nations:Have you ever heard anything like this?Virgin Israel has donethe most horrible thing.
14. Does the snow on the mountains of Lebanon ever melt entirelyoff their rocky cliffs?Do the cool mountain streams ever dry up?
15. Yet my people have forgotten me;they have offered sacrifices to a lie.And so they have stumbled along the way,even along the ancient paths.They have taken side roads,not the main roads.
16. They have ruined their countryand brought utter shame on it.All who pass by are shockedand shake their heads.
17. Like a strong east wind,I will scatter them before their enemy.When disaster strikes them,I will show them my back,not my face.
18. Then they said, "Come, let’s unite against Jeremiah, for the priest’s instruction won’t fail, nor will the sage’s counsel, nor the prophet’s word. Come, let’s silence him and pay no attention to his words."
19. Pay attention to me, Lord;listen to what my enemies are saying.
20. Should evil be returned for good?Yet they have set traps for me.Remember that I stood before you,begging you to be mercifuland not to punish them.
21. Enough! Let their children starve;let them die by the sword.Let their wives be barren widows;let their men be slaughteredand their youth struck down in battle.
22. Let screams be heard from their homeswhen you suddenly bring armies against them.They have dug a pit to capture me,set traps for my feet.
23. But you, Lord, you knowall their sinister plots to kill me.Don’t overlook their wrongdoing;don’t cleanse their sin from before you.May they stumble before you;when you become angry, do something about them.