18-19. So I tell all nations on earth,“Watch what I will do!My people ignored meand rejected my laws.They planned to do evil,and now the evil they plannedwill happen to them.”
20. People of Judah,you bring me incense from Shebaand spices from distant lands.You offer sacrifices of all kinds.But why bother?I hate these gifts of yours!
21. So I will put stumbling blocksin your path,and everyone will die,including parents and children,neighbours and friends.
22. The Lord said,“Look towards the north,where a powerful nationhas prepared for war.
23. Its well armed troops are crueland never show mercy.Their galloping horses soundlike ocean wavespounding on the shore.This army will attack you,lovely Jerusalem.”
24. Then the people said,“Just hearing about themmakes us tremble with fear,and we twist and turn in painlike a woman giving birth.”
25. The Lord said,“Don't work in your fieldsor walk along the roads.It's too dangerous.The enemy is well armed
26. and attacks without warning.So mourn, my people, as thoughyour only child had died.Wear clothes made of sackclothand roll in the ash heap.”
27. Jeremiah, test my peopleas though they were metal.
28. And you'll find they are hardlike bronze and iron.They are stubborn rebels,always spreading lies.
29-30. Silver can be purifiedin a fiery furnace,but my people are too wickedto be made pure,and so I have rejected them.