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.
15. The people of Judah say to me,“Jeremiah, you claimed to tell uswhat the Lord has said.So why hasn't it come true?”
16. Our Lord, you chose meto care for your people,and that's what I have done.You know everything I have said,and I have never onceasked you to punish them.
17. I trust you for protectionin times of trouble,so don't frighten me.