3. Death will be chosen rather than life by all the residue that remain of this evil family, that remain in all the places where I have driven them,” says the Lord of Hosts.
4. “Moreover you shall tell them, ‘the Lord says:“‘Do men fall, and not rise up again?Does one turn away, and not return?
5. Why then have the people of Jerusalem fallen back by a perpetual backsliding?They cling to deceit.They refuse to return.
6. I listened and heard, but they didn’t say what is right.No one repents of his wickedness, saying, “What have I done?”Everyone turns to his course,as a horse that rushes headlong in the battle.
7. Yes, the stork in the sky knows her appointed times.The turtledove, the swallow, and the crane observe the time of their coming;but my people don’t know the Lord’s law.
8. “‘How do you say, “We are wise, and the Lord’s law is with us?”But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has worked falsely.
9. The wise men are disappointed.They are dismayed and trapped.Behold, they have rejected the Lord’s word.What kind of wisdom is in them?
10. Therefore I will give their wives to others,and their fields to those who will possess them.For everyone from the least even to the greatest is given to covetousness;from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely.
11. They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying,“Peace, peace,” when there is no peace.
12. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?No, they were not at all ashamed.They couldn’t blush.Therefore they will fall amongst those who fall.In the time of their visitation they will be cast down, says the Lord.
13. “‘I will utterly consume them, says the Lord.No grapes will be on the vine,no figs on the fig tree,and the leaf will fade.The things that I have given themwill pass away from them.’”
14. “Why do we sit still?Assemble yourselves!Let’s enter into the fortified cities,and let’s be silent there;for the Lord our God has put us to silence,and given us water of gall to drink,because we have sinned against the Lord.
15. We looked for peace, but no good came;and for a time of healing, and behold, dismay!
16. The snorting of his horses is heard from Dan.The whole land trembles at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones;for they have come, and have devoured the land and all that is in it;the city and those who dwell therein.”
17. “For, behold, I will send serpents,adders amongst you,which will not be charmed;and they will bite you,” says the Lord.