7. There may come a time when I will speak about a nation or a kingdom. I might say I will pull that nation up by its roots. Or I might say I will pull that nation down and destroy it.
8. But if the people of that nation are sorry for the evil they have done, I would change my mind. I would not carry out my plans to bring disaster to them.
9. There may come another time when I will speak about a nation. I might say that I will build up and plant that nation.
10. But if I see it doing evil by not obeying me, I would change my mind. I would not carry out my plans to do good for them.
11. “So, say this to the people of Judah and those who live in Jerusalem: ‘This is what the Lord says: I am preparing disaster for you right now. I am making plans against you. So stop doing the evil you are doing. Change your ways and do what is right.’
12. But the people of Judah will answer, ‘It won’t do any good to try! We will continue to do what we want. Each of us will do what his stubborn, evil heart wants!’”
13. So this is what the Lord says:“Ask the people in other nations this question:‘Have you ever heard anything like this?’The people of Israel have done a horrible thing.
14. The snow on the mountains of Lebanonnever melts from the rocks.Its cool, flowing streamsdo not dry up.
15. But my people have forgotten me.They make offerings to worthless idols.This makes them stumble in what they do.They stumble about in the old ways of their ancestors.They walk along back roadsand on poor highways.
16. So Judah’s country will become an empty desert.People will not stop making fun of it.They will shake their heads as they pass by.They will be shocked at how the country was destroyed.
17. I will scatter them before their enemiesas a strong east wind blows things away.At that awful time they will not see me coming to help them.They will see me leaving.”
18. Then the people said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah. Surely the teaching of the law by the priest will not be lost. And the advice from the wise men will still be with us. We will still have the words of the prophets. So let’s ruin him by telling lies about him! We won’t pay attention to anything he says.”
19. Lord, listen to me.Listen to what my accusers are saying!