9. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it,
10. if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.
11. “Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.” ’ ”
12. And they said, “That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.”
13. Therefore thus says the Lord:“Ask now among the Gentiles,Who has heard such things?The virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing.
14. Will a man leave the snow water of Lebanon,Which comes from the rock of the field?Will the cold flowing waters be forsaken for strange waters?
15. “Because My people have forgotten Me,They have burned incense to worthless idols.And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways,From the ancient paths,To walk in pathways and not on a highway,
16. To make their land desolate and a perpetual hissing;Everyone who passes by it will be astonishedAnd shake his head.
17. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy;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 shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come and let us attack him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.”