Jeremiah 6:9-17

9This is what the Lord of Armies says: Thoroughly pick through the faithful few of Israel like someone picks through a grapevine. Like someone picking grapes, pass your hand over its branches again.

10Whom can I speak to? Whom can I give a warning to? Who will listen? Their ears are plugged, and they aren’t able to pay attention. When the Lord speaks his word to them, they show contempt for it and object to it.

11I am filled with the anger of the Lord. I am tired of holding it in. “Pour it out on the children in the street and on the gangs of young men. A man and his wife will be taken away as well as very old people.

12Their households, their fields, and their wives will be turned over to others. I will use my power against those who live in the land,” declares the Lord.

13“All of them, from the least important to the most important, are eager to make money dishonestly. All of them, from prophets to priests, act deceitfully.

14They treat my people’s wounds as though they were not serious, saying, ‘Everything is alright! Everything is alright!’ But it’s not alright.

15Are they ashamed when they do disgusting things? No, they’re not ashamed. They don’t even know how to blush. So they will die with those who die. They will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord.

16This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask which paths are the old, reliable paths. Ask which way leads to blessings. Live that way, and find a resting place for yourselves. But you said that you wouldn’t live that way.

17I posted watchmen over you. Pay attention to the sound of the ram’s horn. But you said that you wouldn’t pay attention.