1. People of Judah,your sins cannot be erased.They are written on your heartslike words chiselled in stoneor carved on the cornersof your altars.
2-3. One generation after anotherhas set up pagan altarsand worshipped the goddess Asheraheverywhere in your country—on hills and mountains,and under large trees.So I'll take everything you own,including your altars,and give it allto your enemies.
4. You will lose the landthat I gave you,and I will make you slavesin a foreign country,because you have made my angerblaze up like a firethat won't stop burning.
5. I, the Lord, have put a curseon those who turn from meand trust in human strength.
6. They will dry up like a bushin salty desert soil,where nothing can grow.
7. But I will bless thosewho trust me.
8. They will be like treesgrowing beside a stream—trees with roots that reachdown to the water,and with leavesthat are always green.They bear fruit every yearand are never worriedby a lack of rain.
9. You people of Judahare so deceitfulthat you even fool yourselves,and you can't change.
10. But I know your deedsand your thoughts,and I will make sureyou get what you deserve.
11. You cheated others,but everything you gainedwill fly away, like birdshatched from stolen eggs.Then you will discoverwhat fools you are.
12. Our Lord, your templeis a glorious thronethat has stood on a mountainfrom the beginning.
13. You are a spring of watergiving Israel life and hope.But if the people rejectwhat you have told me,they will be swept awaylike words written in dust.
14. You, Lord, are the one I praise.So heal me and rescue me!Then I will be completely welland perfectly safe.