Jeremiah 5:19-31

19So, Jeremiah, the people may ask you, “Why has the Lord our God done this to us?” Then tell them, “It is because you have turned away from me. You have chosen to serve foreign gods in your own land. So now you will have to serve foreign people and their gods in a land that is not your own land.”

20Tell this message to the descendants of Jacob. Shout it everywhere in Judah.

21Tell them, “Hear this message, you foolish and stupid people. You have eyes, but you do not see properly. You have ears, but you do not hear properly.” ’

22The Lord says, ‘You should respect me and obey me. You should shake with fear when you come to me. I made the sand as an edge for the sea. It is like a wall that the sea cannot cross. The sea's waves may attack the shore, but it cannot go further than that edge.

23But these people do not obey me, as the waves do. They have turned away from me. They have chosen to go their own way.

24They do not say to themselves, “We should respect the Lord our God. He sends rain for us in the autumn and in the spring. He makes sure that we have a harvest from our crops.”

25But instead, your sins have stopped these good things. You have not received God's blessing.

26There are wicked men among my people. They like to catch people and rob them. They hide like someone who wants to catch a bird. They put out their traps to kill what they want.

27Their houses are full of valuable things, like a trap that is full of beautiful birds. They have cheated people and they have robbed them. That is how they have become rich and powerful.

28They are very fat and healthy. They will never stop doing evil things. They do not help poor people or children who have no family. They do not try to get justice for them.’

29The Lord says, ‘I will certainly punish them for what they have done. I will pay back this wicked nation for their sins.

30A terrible thing is happening in the land of Judah.

31The prophets speak messages that are not true. The priests make their own rules for people to obey. And my people love to live like this! But when all this comes to an end, my people will be helpless!’