15. Because My people have forgotten Me,they have burned incense to vain godsand they have stumbled in their waysfrom the ancient paths,to walk in bypaths,not on a highway,
16. to make their land desolate,and a perpetual hissing;everyone who passes by shall be astonishedand shake his head.
17. I will scatter them before the enemyas with an east wind;I will show them the back and not the facein the day of their calamity.
18. Then they said, “Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah. For the law will not be lost from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us strike him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.”
19. Give heed to me, O Lord,and listen to the voice of those who contend with me.
20. Shall evil be recompensed for good?For they have dug a pit for my soul.Remember that I stood before Youto speak good for them,and to turn away Your wrath from them.
21. Therefore, deliver up their children to the famineand pour out their blood by the power of the sword;and let their wives be bereaved of their children and become widowsand let their men be put to death;let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.
22. Let a cry be heard from their houses,when You bring a troop suddenly upon them;for they have dug a pit to take meand hidden snares for my feet.
23. Yet, Lord, You knowall their counsel against me to slay me.Do not forgive their iniquitynor blot out their sin from Your sight;but let them be overthrown before You;deal thus with them in the time of Your anger.