12. But they say: ‘It’s hopeless! So we will walk after our own plans, and each of us will act in the stubbornness of his evil heart.’”
13. Therefore thus says Adonai: “Ask now among the nations, whoever has heard such things? The virgin of Israel has done a most terrible thing.
14. Does the snow of Lebanon abandon the rock of the field? Or is the cold water flowing from afar pulled back?
15. Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to a delusion and stumble in their ways— off the ancient paths— to walk on side-tracks, rather than a built-up highway.
16. Their land will become a horror, a perpetual hissing— every one passing by will be stunned and shake his head.
17. Like an east wind, I will scatter them before the enemy. I will see their back, not their face, in the day of their calamity.”
18. Then they said: “Come, let us devise plans against Jeremiah. Surely Torah from the kohen will not be lost, nor will counsel from the wise, nor will the word from the prophet. Come, let’s strike at him with the tongue, and pay no attention to any of his words.”
19. Be attentive to me, Adonai! Listen to the voice of my opponents.